April 27, 2025: Second Sunday of Easter, Sunday of Divine Mercy

Gospel: John 20:19-31

In 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 sin 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 nail marks 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

This story has always been the “Doubting Thomas” story for me. Thomas is a doubter; a stubborn doubter who requests specific action in exchange for his belief. We all get that, don’t we? Easy enough — seeing is believing. The eleven who were present when Jesus showed up had it easy in that regard. It’s a nice story. It seems a little simplistic for the types of things I usually encounter with Jesus’ work in scripture.

I direct our attention to words that both precede and follow our friend Thomas’ response to wanting to see and touch Jesus in order to believe.

Early in the passage, we see this line: “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were …”

A little later, after Thomas expresses his desire to touch and see Jesus in order to believe: “Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked …”

When and why do we lock doors? Do those who feel safe and secure in the care of a loving Savior who has just risen from the dead have any reason to lock doors? It seems Thomas may not have been the only one with questions and concerns. Jesus returns to be with all of the disciples on this second evening.

He does not seek out Thomas alone. Perhaps Jesus knew that each of them needed His presence and reassurance as young believers.

Action

Identify some places in your life where locked doors exist. Are you finding yourself to be locked in or locked out?

Easter Encouragement to Consider a ‘Bonus’ Action

Now may be an interesting time to explore Joyce Rupp’s work called “Open the Door: Journey to the True Self.”