Dear Friends,

   Last Sunday we celebrated the Resurrection. The tomb is empty. Christ is risen. Everything has changed.

   And yet today, we find the disciples not out in the world, but locked in a room—afraid, unsure, not quite there yet. If we’re honest, that sounds a lot like us sometimes. We believe, but we hesitate. We hope, but we hold back.

   And what does Jesus do? He doesn’t wait for them to figure it out. He just shows up, right there in the middle of their fear.

   “Peace be with you.” That’s Divine Mercy.

   God doesn’t wait until we’re ready. He doesn’t give us just what we deserve. He doesn’t do just enough. He always does more.

   Look at Thomas. He doubts. He struggles. He needs to see. And Jesus meets him right there—not with anger, but with mercy. “My Lord and my God.”

   That’s where all of this is meant to lead us.

   My friends, the Resurrection is not just something that happened back then. Christ is not just risen—Christ IS risen. And He still comes into our locked rooms, our fears, our doubts, and He says the same thing: “Peace be with you.”

   This week, don’t try to have it all figured out. Just open the door a little. He’ll take care of the rest.

God bless you,

Fr. John