"He showed them his hands and his side" Jn 20 20

 Divine Mercy Sunday

Regina Caeli of the 3 April 2005, the day following the death of Pope John-Paul II ( © Libreria Editrice Vaticana) 

"He showed them his hands and his side"

The last gift of the Holy Father for Divine Mercy Sunday, 3 April (also the Second Sunday of Easter), was the Regina Caeli, read by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, at the end of the Holy Mass celebrated that day in St Peter’s Square for the deceased Pope by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, S.Exc. “I have been charged”, Archbishop Sandri said, “to read you the text that was prepared in accordance with his explicit instructions by the Holy Father John Paul II. I am deeply honoured to do so, but also filled with nostalgia”.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today the glorious Alleluia of Easter resounds.
Today’s Gospel from John emphasizes that on the evening of that day he appeared to the Apostles and “showed them his hands and his side” (Jn 20: 20),
that is, the signs of the painful passion with which his Body
was indelibly stamped, even after the Resurrection.
Those glorious wounds, which he allowed doubting Thomas to touch
eight days later, reveal the Mercy of God
who “so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (Jn 3: 16).

This mystery of love is at the heart of the liturgy today,
the Second Sunday of Easter,
dedicated to the devotion of Divine Mercy.

As a gift to humanity, which sometimes seems bewildered and overwhelmed by the power of evil, selfishness and fear,
the Risen Lord offers his love that pardons, reconciles
and reopens hearts to love.
It is a love that converts hearts and gives peace.
How much the world needs to understand
and accept Divine Mercy!

Lord, who reveal the Father’s love by your death and Resurrection,
we believe in you and confidently repeat to you today:
Jesus, I trust in you, have Mercy upon us and upon the whole world.

John Paul II