THE KEY TO OUR LOCKED HEARTS

April 27, 2025 – Second Sunday of Easter; Sunday of Divine Mercy

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042725.cfm)

Why do we need to lock our rooms, our doors, our houses and cars? The most obvious reason is for our protection. It is to protect ourselves and our properties. Because of the evil and bad intentions of others, we develop protective measures which are also forms of defense mechanisms for us. Aside from the different locks that we install in our properties, it also common nowadays to have Close-circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras to monitor the movements in our surroundings. We find them in business establishments, residences, vehicles, highways and streets, and public places.

Indeed, we do have these security measures as our forms of protection, prevention and detection of crimes and other bad activities. Yet, despite these security measures they too reveal our fears, anxieties and insecurities.

Having a defensive mechanism is a similar situation that may happen to a heart that was hurt and bruised, traumatized and shocked. To experience pain in our relationships makes us defensive the next time we engage in a relationship with others. Moreover, we could also become withdrawn from others, isolating ourselves because we fear of being hurt again. This is how we cope and shield ourselves from any other possible pain or hurts. We too become suspicious of others because we are afraid of what others can do to us.

The disciples of Jesus were in this very situation. The disciples hid themselves in a room because of fear. They locked the door to make sure that no stranger could enter. It was their way of protecting themselves because they were afraid that what happened to Jesus may also happen to them.

The door that was locked was only the physical manifestation of their hearts that were more closed and hardened. Their hearts filled with so much fear and hopeless ness prevented them to believe what Mary Magdalene proclaimed to them, that Jesus has been raised from the dead. They couldn’t believe her because they were too afraid.

However, what was more interesting in the Gospel was on how Jesus appeared in their midst even though they made sure that the doors were locked. Jesus appeared to them and brought the key of peace to the hearts of these fearful disciples. “Peace be with you!” This is the gift of the Resurrection of Jesus.

Yet, we also find Thomas who was not there at that time of Jesus’ appearance, still holding on to his fears and doubts. Although all the other disciples have testified that they have seen the Lord, Thomas couldn’t accept it. He couldn’t believe, and because of that, his heart was more locked than the door.

That is why, Thomas, set a condition before he would believe that Jesus is alive. He said, “unless I will see and touch him, I will not believe.” Because of so much fear and doubts, Thomas insisted that condition in order to protect himself.

Just as Jesus met the other disciples in their own hiding place and so he did it also to Thomas. Jesus appeared once again and asked Thomas to touch his wounds so that he may believe. Jesus submitted to the condition of Thomas.

The Gospel tells us today, that indeed, the Lord meets us wherever we are and he takes us seriously in all our fears, anxieties and doubts. When God meets us in our own hiding places and closed doors, He brings peace to our troubled and fearful hearts. This is an assurance that in God’s presence we find peace and without Him we will always be disturbed and insecure.

The Lord dares to be where we are at the moment. Even when we decide to retreat to our own cocoons of selfishness, to our old bad habits and addictions, to our defensive mechanisms and withdrawal from other people, and into our angry and irritable response to people around us, the Lord meets us there. God meets us there and he wants us to know that He is with us and He brings us peace. Peace is the key to our locked hearts.

It is when we recognize God in those realities that He will also invite us to touch his wounds just like Thomas. Being aware of the wounds and touching the wounds of Jesus means that Jesus feels our own pain and suffering, our fears and anxieties, questions and doubts. Hopefully, that experience will lead us to proclaim like Thomas, “My Lord and my God.” This is again an assurance to us that our God is alive and at work in our lives.

We are all invited then, to be aware and recognize those attitudes, beliefs and experiences that continue to lock us away from others and from God. Be aware of those that hold us from fully relating to others and from freely expressing ourselves, those that make us withdrawn and indifferent to people around us. Allow the Lord then, to bring us the key to our locked heart, that is peace.

This is what the Divine Mercy brings us too on this Second Sunday of Easter. The Mercy of God brings peace into our hearts. His mercy will bring us out of our locked and over-protective rooms and to go out and meet people. It is mercy that brings peace in us that we too are moved to share what we have experienced with God, his goodness and generosity, his faithfulness. Hinaut pa.