Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Peter writes to people who have not seen Jesus and yet love him, who do not see him now and yet believe. That describes most women of faith across most of Christian history. You have not seen the Risen Christ with your eyes, but you have loved him through the sacraments, through the daily prayer, through the faithfulness that carried your family when no one else was holding it together. Peter says that this unseen love, this faith that operates without visible evidence, will prove to be for praise and glory and honor. The world does not honor invisible faith. God does.

Sister, the early Church in Acts devoted themselves to the breaking of bread in their homes, and they ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart. The woman who sets the table, who gathers the family, who insists that the meal happens even when everyone is tired and scattered - she is continuing what Acts describes. The breaking of bread in homes was not a metaphor. It was a meal prepared by someone, served by someone, cleaned up by someone. That someone was almost certainly a woman. The domestic church has always depended on the woman who sets the table, and the table she sets is where the Lord adds to the number daily.

Today, set the table with intention. It is Divine Mercy Sunday, and the meal you serve your family tonight is a continuation of what the early Church did in their homes. Light a candle. Say grace with awareness. And if you can, pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at three o'clock - for the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. The mercy is for you too. Receive it.

Lord, I have not seen you and yet I love you. I do not see you now and yet I believe. Peter says this unseen faith will prove to be for praise and glory and honor. On this Divine Mercy Sunday, let your mercy reach the places in me that are still locked, still doubting, still waiting for you to come back through the door. You always come back. My Lord and my God. Alleluia. Amen.