Jn. 20,19-31.
On the evening of Easter Sunday, the disciples are in a room, behind closed doors for fear of the Jews. They have good reason to be afraid, seeing what had happened to Jesus their friend and mentor. Feelings of betrayal, guilt, sadness, fear and anxiety would pre-occupy their troubled minds. Jesus appears to them and offers them Shalom, peace, that complete well- being which only he can give, and which they needed so much. On seeing the marks of the crucifixion on his hands and the marks of death in his side, they are overjoyed at recognising the risen Lord. Then he commissions them to go out as the Father sent him. They become apostles, sent out a mission by Jesus. His breathing on them confers the fullness of the Holy Spirit to forgive and heal people from sin. For John this is the Pentecost moment. As God breathed life into Adam at creation (Gen 2,7) so now Jesus breathes the new life of the Spirit into the apostles. They are now fully-fledged for mission, commissioned to preach and share the good news of the resurrection.
We should be grateful for the absence of Thomas on the first Easter Day and for the rigid criteria he lays down before he will believe the unbelievable; that Jesus has risen from the dead. He is given time to ponder the claims of his companions that they have seen the risen Lord. His moment came eight days later, his criteria are met by the Lord, and he reciprocates with the prefect act of Easter faith; “My Lord and my God.” Jesus in reply elevates post-Easter faith to a higher level than faith based on seeing and believing. Unlike Thomas’ faith, it will not be dependent on sight or touch, but on trust in the power and love of God. Such faith confers blessing/beatitude which transcends earthly experience.
John is addressing us, the readers, and hearers of his gospel. These resurrection events/signs, are recorded so we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and believing this, we may have life through his name. Blessed are we who have not seen and yet believe.
We who have grown up in the Christian faith from childhood often take the gift of faith for granted. How often do we give thanks to God for this gift? And for those people who taught us the faith, or, more accurately, those from whom we caught the faith?
Reading the gospels thoughtfully and prayerfully is a sure way of deepening our appreciation of the wonder and mystery of Jesus and his resurrection and of enriching our faith in him. Ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of loving the Scriptures written under his inspiration, a gift he will certainly grant.
Blessed John Henry Newman said that “ten thousand difficulties do not make one doubt.” How would you help somebody who had difficulties with aspects of their faith?
What light does today’s gospel throw on faith for you? As the Father sent Jesus out so he sends us out. Have you ever experienced the Spirit working in your life? To whom is He sending you? What is He sending you out to do?
Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles shows how the apostles were transformed through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is the age of the Spirit.
This Sunday is also called Divine Mercy Sunday a reminder to accept God’s mercy and share it.
Closed doors, closed hearts and closed minds should be things of the past for Christians because of the Easter story.
Father Geoff O’Grady