On the evening
of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with
the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood
among them. – John 20:19
EXPECTING THE OBVIOUS
Granny goes into a Jollibee outlet and orders coffee with honey. “Sorry, Lola, we don’t serve honey,” the waiter answered. Adamant,
grandma
raises her eyebrows and demands, “You have a giant red bee outside your
restaurant and you’re telling me you don’t have any honey?!”
Just like Lola, we also ask God for the obvious because we believe we
need it. In today’s reading, though, Jesus does what is not obvious. He
appears in spite of the locked doors in ways the disciples did not
expect. Why? Because He needs to give His disciples more than what is
obvious. He needs to give them what is necessary.
Jesus appears to us in many different ways — as a Bringer of Peace,
Giver of the Spirit, Proof of the Resurrection, Messiah, Son of God….
Rarely does He come to us in ways that are obvious. But let’s never
overlook two things: One, that He will give us exactly what we hope to
get; and two, whatever He gives us and however He gives it, appreciate
that His Presence is blessing enough for us. Rod Velez
1ST READING
The
sense of community among the Early Christians was very strong as
related in the Acts of the Apostles. This is probably due to the fact
that for the first three centuries the Church was persecuted and so
supporting one another was a very high priority. Even if the threat of
persecution is gone, we should continue our support and concern for one
another.
Acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. 46 Every
day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and
to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation
and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
P S A L M
Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
R: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.
2 Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His mercy endures forever.” (R) 13 I was hard pressed and was falling, but the Lord helped me. 14 My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. 15 The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just: (R) 22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. 24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. (R)
2ND READING
What
a great image of faith — “an indescribable and glorious joy.” If only
we could capture such an experience more regularly. Sometimes we are the
Gospel’s worst enemies in that we do not live with the joy that we
should have, knowing the gift of God’s mercy and love. We should always
be joyful because, no matter what situation we are in, God is with us to
strengthen us and give us victory.
1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy
gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you 5 who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. 6 In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, 7 so
that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is
perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise,
glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Although
you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now
yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
GOSPEL
Thomas
may have doubted at first but then he was humble enough to admit he was
wrong to doubt. Let us pray for the humility of Thomas in facing our
own mistakes. Let us never despair in our sinfulness because we believe
in a God who has overcome the power of sin through His resurrection.
John 20:19-31
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 nailmarks 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.” 30 Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
REFLECTION
INNER PEACE IS BEST
It
is striking to note that the usual greeting of the Risen Lord to His
disciples was “Peace be with you!” By this, He indicates peace that is
not external, or peace that is without problems and conflicts. In truth,
the disciples will have more of the conflicts and tensions as they go
about spreading the Gospel of Jesus to nations. All the Apostles, except
John, will in fact suffer violent death through martyrdom. John himself
will be caught, tortured, imprisoned and exiled. Jesus, thus, refers to
peace in one’s heart and spirit.
With Jesus simple words — “Peace be with you” — He was ministering to
each of the disciples. The crucifixion shattered their confidence. They
saw their Master die, and they were all living in constant fear that
they will soon be next. The narrative that we read today says that the
doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Thomas
had even deeper wounds to nurse. He had put his trust and his
everything in Jesus. Once, in the midst of threats on Jesus’ life,
Thomas was able to say before all the disciples: “If the Master goes to
Jerusalem to die, let us go to die with him” (cf John 11:16). This much
he believed in the power of Jesus. But then, the crucifixion and death
of Jesus shattered his confidence in Jesus’ power. Depressed by
everything, he uttered: “Unless I see... I will not believe” (v. 25).
Jesus breathed on the disciples, reminiscent of Genesis 2:7, when God
breathed on the first man to communicate His life to him. With His words
that seemed like a customary greeting in those times, Jesus restores
confidence and inner peace to the disciples. From this, they draw the
strength to go and preach the truth about Jesus, no matter what.
This Sunday, as we celebrate the Divine Mercy Sunday, let us ask Jesus
to visit us and all our beloved with His best gift — inner peace. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP
"Grant me Your peace, Lord — the peace that transcends all tribulations and conflicts."
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