April 7, 2024: Second Sunday of Easter, Sunday of Divine Mercy

Gospel: John 20: 19-31

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.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 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.”

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.” 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.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 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

“Doubting Thomas!” I despaired to my husband. “What new can be said about Doubting Thomas?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “I kind of like how Jesus meets him where he is. He knows what Thomas needs, and he allows it. But Jesus also tells him that it would be better if Thomas had believed without seeing.”

Jesus meets us where we are. We don’t have to be perfectly evolved. But Jesus also challenges us to do better, to do more. He says to us, as he said to his disciples, “Peace be with you.” You are enough. But you are also more, because you are part of me. It is acceptance and incentive, comfort and nudging.

And he comes despite locked doors, whether physical or metaphorical. What a joy that is! May he always come, meeting me in my stubbornness or sinfulness, opening doors and offering peace!

Action

The first reading speaks about the community of believers who were “of one heart and mind.” What’s more, “There was no needy person among them.”

Whatever one had, they shared. What could you give away that someone else might need or appreciate?

Use this week to go through old books, clothing, furniture, etc. and find something you might offer to charity or to another in need.

Or give some money to a panhandler without judgment. If you have nothing physical to give away, think about giving away an opinion or attitude that holds you back from embracing others fully.