Fear Locks the Door, Christ Walks In     

April 12, 2026 – Second Sunday of Easter

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041226.cfm)

In one way or another, there could be many of us living behind “locked doors.” This could be of our own choice because of the thought of wanting to protect ourselves. Or perhaps, we have been locked away against our will because of unpleasant circumstances that we have been through.

Indeed, this is not only about the doors of our homes, but the doors of our hearts. Because of rising prices, financial struggles, and unstable income, many are anxious about the future. This can make us irritable, overly anxious and restless even in small financial decisions. It could also make us selfish or overly protective of what we have because of the fear of not having enough.

In our relationships, the experiences of misunderstandings, betrayals, and disappointments can make us more guarded. We become careful, distant, even withdrawn. This means, we protect ourselves not because we are strong, but because we are afraid of being hurt again.

On this Second Sunday of Easter also called as Divine Mercy Sunday, our Gospel today meets us where we are. And so, let us discern God’s invitations for us.

The disciples, after the crucifixion, were also behind locked doors. They were afraid and felt lost. What happened to Jesus might also happen to them. So they hid and locked themselves in, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

What the disciples experienced can also be our experience now. Hence, there is also a kind of “self-imposed lockdown” in our lives. For instance, when we have been hurt, we could become defensive. And so, we stop trusting and withdraw from others. We refuse to invest ourselves again in relationships. We stay in our comfort zones, but deep inside, we remain fearful, anxious and restless.

This is how fear paralyzes us and locks our heart. This is what happened even to Thomas. When he heard that Jesus was alive, he could not believe. His doubts became his protection and defense mechanism. He said, “Unless I see and touch, I will not believe.” Yet, that also means that his heart was more locked than the doors of the room.

However, here is the beauty of the Gospel. Even if the doors were locked, the Risen Jesus entered the room, not just once but twice. The Lord did not wait for the disciples to open the door. He came as they were fearful, confused, and wounded. And the first thing He said was, “Peace be with you.”

This is Divine Mercy. In His mercy, God does not wait for us to become perfect. The Lord meets us in our fears, in our doubts, and in our hidden places. He enters our locked doors not to condemn us, but to bring peace.

That very grace became also the opportunity for Jesus to show them His wounds. Why? Because the wounds of Jesus speak to our wounds. His pain also speaks to our pain. When Thomas touched the wounds of Jesus, he encountered not just proof, but love. And it is a love that understands suffering and anguish.

And this is the turning point. Thomas, who doubted, now proclaims: “My Lord and my God!”

What find in the scripture today, is indeed also our journey from fear to faith, and from locked doors to open hearts.

In fact, the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles shows us what happens when hearts are opened. The early Christians lived as a community and so they shared what they had. They supported one another and so there was joy, unity, and trust.

However, this is the very opposite of a locked life, of hearts that are locked away. This means that a locked life isolates but an open heart builds community.

Peter reminds us in the second reading that our hope is alive because Jesus is alive. Even if we face trials, our faith gives us a deeper joy that cannot be taken away.

So today, we are invited to ask, “What are the doors that I have locked in my life?” Is it fear? Is it anger? Is it past hurt? Is it doubt in God?

We ask this and hope for freedom because as long as we remain locked, we cannot fully live and we cannot fully love.

But remember, the good news is this, “Jesus comes anyway.” The Lord comes into our fears, into our doubts and into our struggles. And He says to you and to me, “Peace be with you.”

This also means that the Divine Mercy is not just about forgiveness. It is about God entering into our brokenness and restoring us from within. And once we receive that peace, we are sent. Jesus told His disciples, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” From locked doors, they were sent into the world. And from fear, they became witnesses of peace and joy.

So let me leave you with two simple takeaways for today.

First, allow Jesus to enter your locked doors. Do not hide your fears, your wounds, and your doubts. Bring them to Him. Let His mercy give you peace.

Second, open your life to others again. Take one step to forgive, to trust, to care, or to reconnect. Do not remain locked. Rather, choose to live and love again. Kabay pa.