Unlocking the Doors of Fear

When we hear today’s Gospel (John 20:19-31), we find the disciples hiding behind locked doors.
Why were they so afraid?

Fr Dominic shared in his homily that there were two reasons.
First, they were afraid of the Jews. After Jesus’ crucifixion, they feared for their own lives.
Second, they were afraid to meet Jesus.
They had abandoned Him at His hour of need, and only John had stayed at the cross.
Now, shame and guilt weighed heavily on them.
Maybe they wondered if Jesus would still love them, or if He would reject them.

We understand this feeling, do we not?
When we hurt someone we love, it is often easier to avoid them.
We are afraid of facing our failure.
We are afraid of being rejected.

But Jesus does something amazing.
He comes right into their fear, stands among them, and says,
“Peace be with you.”

There is no anger, no blame.
Only peace.
Only love.

Jesus does not scold or shame them.
He offers the peace of God, a peace that forgives, heals and restores.

This moment speaks deeply to our own lives.
When we fall short as parents, children, friends or parishioners, we often hide behind our own locked doors.
Sometimes we hide behind busyness, pride, hurt feelings or fear.

Maybe it is a harsh word we said at home.
Maybe it is a grudge we are holding against someone in the parish.
Maybe it is guilt for drifting away from prayer or from the Mass.

Whatever it is, Jesus wants to come right into it.
And when He does, He speaks the same words:
“Peace be with you.”

But to live in that peace, we must take a step too.
We must seek forgiveness, and we must forgive others.
Jesus tells His disciples,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven.” (John 20:22-23)

This is the heart of Divine Mercy Sunday.
It is a reminder that no sin is too great for Jesus.
He never tires of forgiving us.
Pope Francis once said,
“The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.”

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the greatest treasures we have in the Catholic Church, where we meet Jesus Himself, ready to forgive and heal us.
There, we meet Jesus face to face.
We bring Him our sins, and He gives us His peace.

Like Thomas, we may struggle with doubts.
We may find it hard to believe that God’s mercy is bigger than our failures.
But when Thomas finally encountered the Risen Lord, he cried out,
“My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28)

Let that be our prayer too.
In our homes, when tensions rise.
In our parish, when we struggle to love one another.
In our hearts, when we wrestle with our own mistakes.

When we feel unworthy, or when we long for a fresh start, let us turn to Jesus and say,
“My Lord and my God.”

Let us not stay trapped behind closed doors any longer.
Jesus is here.
He brings peace.
He brings mercy.
He brings a new beginning.

This Easter season, may our hearts be open to receive Him.
May our lives be a living echo of Thomas’ prayer:
“My Lord and my God.”

Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday to all! (BV)