Second Sunday of Easter (A)

Divine Mercy Sunday

April 19, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Acts 2: 42-47

Psalm 118 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love is everlasting.”

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1: 3-9

Gospel reading according to John 20: 19-31

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Homily: Peace be with you!

The following day, after Sabbath, the first day of the week, Jesus resurrected from the dead.  In the evening of that day, Jesus appeared his self to his disciples in their hiding place, most probably in the Upper Room, for no Jews knew that place. “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′.” (John 20: 19).  It was evening when Jesus appeared to his disciples.  This is significant, for the disciples were still in the process of believing.  Some of them did not yet accept what Jesus and even the scripture said with regards to the resurrection of the Messiah (or Chrst).  Others still groping in the dark, with fear in their hearts and minds.  Suddenly, Jesus came in even the doors were locked, he just penetrated in the wooden doors and passed through it.  All the people in that place were surprised to see the Lord.  To remove their fears he greeted them with peace.  “Peace be with you!”  It is as if Jesus was saying to them, do not worry, I won the death or do not worry I have forgiven your sins.  It is time to move on.

Their unbelief was changed of belief when they saw the risen Lord.  After saying “peace” to them he showed his hands, side and feet.  “When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.  The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord” (John 20: 20).  The marks of the nails were still in his hands and feet, and the side was still opened with wound.  He showed his wounds so that they became convince of his resurrection.  Thus, after seeing his wounds the disciples rejoiced and starting to believe.  To make sure that the disciples understood what really happened, Jesus repeated his greetings.  “Jesus said to them again, ‵Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you′.” (John 20: 21).  “Peace be with you,” is coupled with responsibilities.  He is now sending his disciples to the ends of the earth in proclaiming the good news of the love of God and the forgiveness of their sins.  Jesus is the model of the disciples in proclaiming the good news, when he was sent by God to all people.  The disciples have now archetypal and example to follow in going out and proclaiming the gospel.  They also received from Jesus strength and courage in performing their proclamation, by breathing them and sharing with them the Holy Spirit.  He breathe on them the Spirit of forgiveness.  “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′.” (John 20: 22-23).  When they go throughout the world, they proclaim the forgiveness of sins.  Those who repented their sins will be forgiven but those who do not repent, will not be forgiven and retain to themselves their sin.

It so happened that one of his disciples, whose name was Thomas, was not with the other disciples.  Maybe he was hiding in different place when Jesus appeared in the Upper Room.  “Thomas, called Didymus, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came” (John 20: 24).  Thomas was not with the rest of the disciples when Jesus appeared.  When the other disciples found Thomas they told him the appearance of Jesus, that Jesus is alive!  “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′.” (John 20: 25).  But, Thomas did not believe them.  He said to see is to believe.  He will not believe what they were saying unless he sees by himself with his own eyes, he sees the hands, side and feet of Jesus marked with nails and of the soldier′s lance.

Two weeks have passed and now Thomas was with the rest of the disciples in the Upper Room.  “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′.” (John 20: 26).  Jesus appeared once more to his disciples despite the doors were locked.  He once more greeted them with his “peace,” he gives peace of mind and heart, a sure guarantee of forgiveness and of love and understanding.  His peace brings back his good and harmonious relationship with his disciples.  After giving them his peace, he faced the doubting Thomas. “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′.” (John 20: 27).  He talked and failsafe to Thomas that he was really alive with flesh and bones, and not a ghost or spirit.  He also invited him to touch with his finger his wounded hands and to put his hand on his side. He told him to get rid of his doubt rather believe on him alive. “Thomas answered and said to him, ‵My Lord and my God′!” (John 20: 28).  After putting his finger to the hands marked with nails and his hand on the side of Jesus he believed, and unreservedly said “My Lord and my God.” He now believe for he saw personally the risen Jesus and was able to touch his wounds.  “Jesus said to him, ‵Have you come to believe because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed′.” (John 20: 29).  But Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believe.”  This was Jesus’s revelation of the future disciples and followers of him.   We, his new disciples and followers, who do not see nor witness the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ but we believe and continue believing in him that truly he raised from the death and now lives forever and remains with us until the end of time.

While Jesus was with his disciples, he made many things that could help his disciples in preparation for their mission when the time of sending them into the whole world comes.  “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 Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name” (John 20: 30-31).  Many disciples came to believe in him.  They recognized Jesus, Lord and Savior as the Christ, the Messiah or the anointed One, the Son of the living God, who was sent to preach the good news of the loving Father, and to share the gifts of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.  Amen.