2nd Sunday of Easter(Divine Mercy) - Year A - Peace Be With You & “He Never Failed Me Yet”
There is a simple line in this Sunday’s Gospel that says everything: “The doors were locked… and Jesus came and stood among them.”
The disciples were afraid, grieving, and unsure of the future. They were not strong or full of faith — they were in hiding. And yet, that is exactly where Jesus met them. Not when they have it together — but when they don’t. His first words are not blame or disappointment, but: “Peace be with you.” As they were there and then! God does not stand at a distance. God enters into our fear, our failure, our doubt.
By all human accounts the disciples had let Jesus down, yet he does not mention it when he enters the room. There is no blame, no lecture. Only: “Peace be with you.” This speaks deeply to our world today. Many people are living behind locked doors, and not without reason: war and violence across nations, division and uncertainty, worry about health, family, and the future. Fear is real. And yet, into this very reality, Christ still comes and says: “Peace be with you.”
And then there is Thomas. He cannot pretend faith he does not feel: “Unless I see… I will not believe it.” Again, Jesus meets him there, gently, patiently. That too is mercy. And Thomas, in the end, proclaims: “My Lord and my God”, because he allows God to show him mercy and help his faith.
Perhaps faith is a bit like running in a long race. There are moments when you feel strong, but also moments when you are tired, unsure, and just trying to keep going. You don’t wait until you feel perfect to continue, you keep putting one foot in front of the other. Faith can be like that too. Not always certain, not always easy, but moving forward, trusting that the Risen Christ is with us on the road.
Finally, Jesus sends the disciples (and us) out from behind locked doors: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” This weekend, we are invited to put our fear aside and are sent to be merciful: in a kind word, in forgiveness, in patience, in quiet compassion to those we meet. We are invited to allow those words “Peace be with you” to reach whatever part of our lives feels closed or uncertain. God is not waiting for us to be perfect. God comes to us as we are and gently leads us on.
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Faith is not about having everything figured out. It is about trusting, sometimes quietly, sometimes uncertainly, that love is stronger than fear, and that hope is still possible.
In honor of Divine Mercy Sunday, we would like to share our latest video. “He Never Failed Me Yet”, sung in the video by our Saturday 5pm Choir, is a powerful contemporary gospel anthem of trust and testimony, joyfully proclaiming that God is faithful in every trial and that Jesus will surely bring us out, no matter what the test.
The song's soaring verses and refrain —“I will sing of God’s mercies! … Trust and never doubt, Jesus will surely bring you out, He never failed me yet” echo the Easter season and Divine Mercy message that the risen Lord stands in our midst and breathes His peace, mercy, and strength into fearful hearts.
Video can be watched by clicking here or by clicking on the thumbnail below.
