Universal Utterings
for April 12, 2026
A Godcast
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04-12-2026 John 20 v1929 Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen and Believe
The Gospel of John Chapter 20 Verse 19 thru 29
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
In John 20:19-29, we witness the powerful moment when the risen Christ appears to His disciples. They are hiding in fear behind locked doors, burdened by doubt and despair. Yet, Jesus enters, offering peace and reassurance: “Peace be with you.” He shows them His hands and side, revealing both His suffering and triumph over death. This pivotal encounter illustrates the essence of Divine Mercy—Christ’s unwavering compassion and forgiveness toward humanity, despite our sins and shortcomings.
Divine Mercy is not just a theological concept; it is a profound understanding of God’s love, which embraces even the most wayward souls. When Christ invites the disciples to touch His wounds, He expresses the depth of His love, emphasizing that no sin is beyond His reach. His mercy extends forgiveness to all who seek Him genuinely, illustrating that grace can heal the deepest wounds of the heart.
Divine Mercy Sunday originated from the visions and revelations of Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, in the early 20th century. Saint Faustina received messages from Jesus that emphasized His mercy and love for humanity. She recorded these messages in her diary, titled “Divine Mercy in My Soul,” where she shared her experiences and the instructions she received from Jesus about His divine mercy.
In 1931, Jesus appeared to Faustina, asking her to depict Him as the “Divine Mercy” with rays of light shining from His heart, symbolizing the outpouring of grace upon the world. The image of the Divine Mercy became central to the devotion and is shared here today.
The concept of Divine Mercy Sunday was established by Pope John Paul II when he canonized Saint Faustina on April 30, 2000. He declared that the Sunday after Easter would be celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday, emphasizing this feast as a day of grace and mercy, where Catholics could receive a plenary indulgence under certain conditions. The celebration encourages the faithful to reflect on God’s mercy and to extend that mercy to others. The feast has since become an important part of the Catholic liturgical calendar, with many parishes around the world observing it with special Masses and devotions.
Every day at 3 PM, my wife and I make a point to stop and pray. With every Sign of the Cross, we say aloud, “Jesus, I Trust in You. Have mercy on me, a sinner.” This simple yet profound act is our reminder of the mercy extended to us and our trust in it. It serves as a moment of reflection, acknowledging our need for God’s grace and the love that flows abundantly from Christ’s heart.
As we recite these words, we find comfort and renewed strength, knowing our faith is anchored in His boundless mercy. In John 20:29, Jesus said to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This reminder encourages us to cultivate faith even in the unseen, trusting that His mercy envelops us always. Amen.
Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.
I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20
04-12-2026 John 20 v1322
**Divine Mercy Jesus I Trust In You**
In whispers soft, the morning breaks,
A day of grace, where mercy wakes.
The light descends on hearts once torn,
As hope anew, this day is born.
From depths of love, a stream flows wide,
In every soul, there’s room to confide.
Forgiveness blooms like springtime’s flower,
In every heart, a holy hour.
The wounds of Christ, a balm for all,
His sacred heart, our faithful call.
In shadows cast by doubt and fear,
His mercies shine, forever near.
Oh, gather ‘round, both meek and bold,
The stories of His love are eternally retold.
With each soft prayer, our spirits soar,
In unity, together, His grace we implore.
“No sin too great, no heart of shame,
For in my grace, the Cross will remain.”
His voice, a gentle shepherd’s song,
In Divine Mercy, humanity does belong.
Let rivers of compassion flow,
Through every act, let kindness grow.
For on this day, His promise stands,
A gift of peace, in open hands.
So let us share this boundless grace,
Embrace each other, heart to face.
In love and mercy, let us be,
Reflecting His divine decree.
Forever touched by love divine,
In acts of mercy, we truly align.
On Divine Mercy Sunday ever so bright,
We find our home in His pure grace of light. Amen.
© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins
April 12, 2026 @ 04:59 AM EST
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