Second Sunday of Easter (B)

 

April 11, 2021                                                                    

Readings:

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 4: 32-35

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

Second Reading: 1 John 5 1-6

Gospel reading according to John 20: 19-31

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Homily: 

On the same day, on the first day of the week, where Jesus resurrected early in the morning, while it was still dark; on that same day of the first day of the week also, on the evening, Jesus appeared to his disciples still hiding from the Jews for their lives.  For them, it was still dark/evening, as if they did not hear the good news that Jesus was resurrected from Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter and John, and women companions, that early morning.  Still the disciples were in the dark of the night and did not yet recognize the light brought by the resurrection of Jesus.   “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” (John 20: 19-20)  On that evening, Jesus appeared and stood in their midst, and to guarantee that he had no grudges against them, that it was ok now, he greeted them with the sign of peace, “Peace be with you.”  It means he has forgiven them for their lack of faith and unbelief to what he said on the rising of the dead.  “Peace be with you” means, they were still his disciples for he loved them.  There was nothing to worry about, he has forgiven them and accepted their weaknesses.  To prove his resurrection, he showed to them his hands, side [and feet] marked with nails, the signs of his suffering, passion and death on the cross.

When the disciples saw the living Christ, naturally they rejoiced and delighted.  “The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord” (John 20: 20).  Some of them could not express their feelings, happiness and joy when they saw the risen Lord; some of them still could not believe that Jesus was alive and in front of them talking to them and giving peace and showing nail marks.  There were mixed emotions and fear, faith and disbelief among the disciples about the resurrection of Jesus, who was present in their midst.  There were some disciples whose eyes were prevented from recognizing him, and some of them were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.

So Jesus, to guarantee his disciples that he was he, he said again for the second time his greetings of peace.  “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you’.” (John 20: 21).  After saying, “Peace be with you,” he commissioned and sent his disciples to spread “Peace” and the good news of the resurrection from the dead throughout the whole world.  That there is nothing to worry about for he conquered sin and death, that they are now free and liberated from the chains of slavery of sin and of the devil.  That the light is now shining upon the earth due to his resurrection.

To help the disciples spread the good news with courage and confidence, without fear, he gave them a lasting companion, the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. “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).  He breathed on them the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of courage and strength, the Spirit of life and truth, and the Spirit of love to God and one’s neighbor.  He added that whoever they forgive are forgiven and whoever they retain their sins are not forgiven and remain to them their sins. 

Because of the fear of the Jews, the disciples and Apostle were separated in their hiding place.  It so happened that Thomas was separated from the group.  Maybe he did it intentionally to be in a different hiding place or he did not listen to the instruction of Simon Peter, their leader, or he lost his trail, the way to the upper room.  “Thomas, called Didymus, one 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’.” (John 20: 24-25). Thus, during the first appearance of Jesus, Thomas was not with them there in the upper room.  But with the other disciples with the courage to go out, they found Thomas and told him what had happened on the first day of the first week after the Passover.  But instead to be happy and rejoice of the news he had heard, he challenged the other disciples to produce Jesus (the risen Lord), with all the marks of the nails, and the wounds in his hands and side [and feet].  Unless he sees by his own eyes all the marks and wounds, he does not believe them.   

After the first week when Jesus appeared to his disciple; and in the second week, still the disciples were hiding but this time Thomas was with them in the upper room, when suddenly Jesus appeared and showed himself again to them.  “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 me and have believed’.” (John 20: 26-29).  The doors were locked but still Jesus was able to appear in the midst of his disciples who were still in the dark hiding for fear of their lives.  For the third time, Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you,” as if Jesus was bringing light to the darkness covering the disciples.  He was saying to them the darkness had passed and the light shines forth in the night of their lives.  Also, it so happened that Thomas was with them.  So Jesus called the attention of Thomas who until now had disbelief at what he saw, that Jesus was here in their presence alive.  Jesus said to him to look at his hands and see the nail marks, put his finger on them and bring his hand and put it on his side.  He convinced him not to be unbelieving but to believe.  He said also to Thomas, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen me and have believed.”  We are blessed for we did not see Jesus but we believe in him.

To conclude his gospel, John said that many other things Jesus performed in the sight of his disciples that are not written.  “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 you may have life in his name” (John 20: 30-31).  But those signs and wonders that Jesus had made were remembered and written so that those who read and will read his gospel may believe in Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and to have life eternal.  Amen.