LIFE IN THE RISEN CHRIST
2nd Sunday of Easter. Mercy Sunday Reflection
(Please see below "2nd Sunday of Easter" for the Gospel reflection)
Hebrews 4:15-16, 5:7-9.
7 During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, with loud cries and with tears, to the one who had the power to save him from death, and, winning a hearing by his reverence, 8 he learnt obedience, Son though he was, through his sufferings; 9 when he had been perfected, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation
Jesus is not cold or aloof, but the friend of sinners hoping his love may melt their hearts. In the parable he greets the sinner with open arms and a hero’s welcome, simply because he has returned. He does not overlook sin but refuses to condemn and is ever ready to forgive. Faced with the adulterous woman he appeals to her not to sin again. Though submerged in anguish on the Cross, he mercifully forgives a thief’s life of sin and spontaneously begs his Father to forgive the priests. He is God in human form, compassionate and gracious; slow to anger and abounding in love. He casts our sins to the depths of the sea. Let us approach him with confidence that we may find mercy and grace in our time of need. Can you believe Jesus loves you unconditionally and longs for you at any cost?
2nd Sunday of Easter C
Acts 5:12-16. Psalm 117:2-4. 22-27. Rv. 1, Apocalypse 1:9-13. 17-19, John 20:19-31
19 In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, 'Peace be with you,' 20 and, after saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord, 21 and he said to them again, 'Peace be with you. 'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.' 22 After saying this he breathed on them and said: Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained. 24 Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, 'We have seen the Lord,' but he answered, 'Unless I can see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.' 26 Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. 'Peace be with you,' he said. 27 Then he spoke to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving any more but believe.' 28 Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!' 29 Jesus said to him: You believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. 30 There were many other signs that Jesus worked in the sight of the disciples, but they are not recorded in this book. 31 These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
The numbers who came to believe in the Lord Jesus increased steadily.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the corner stone
I was on Patmos for having preached God’s word and witnessed for Jesus.
These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ and have life.
Jesus Risen in you
The disciples are paralyzed with fear. They are afraid of persecution. There is no life in their community. How can they conquer the world? Jesus stands in their midst and offers them ‘peace’. His peace is not the peace of the world. Persecutions will come but they will know that he is with them. He has overcome the world. Their hearts will not be troubled. They will not be afraid. They will know that in the midst of every storm Jesus is with them and victory will be theirs.
When the disciples see the hands and feet of Jesus they recognize the Victor over death. He is the new creation and they are filled with joy. The Bridegroom is back. They now have no reason to fear. In creation Yahweh breathed into the image of man the breath of life and he became a living being. Now Jesus breathes on this fearful group and gives them the Spirit. As the Father sent Jesus so he sends them now filled with his Spirit. It is to bring forgiveness for sin. In Christ the new creation has begun. He is making all things new.
But is it true? Has Jesus really risen? Has he conquered death and has he now supreme power? If so then he has changed the world and life forever. The fact of the Resurrection is not just a news item, a miraculous event. It is world transforming. It will cause the transformation of everyone who believes. Though few in number the disciples will go out into the world to conquer it for Christ. Many will give their lives in the task but the conquest will go on till the end of time. Those who shed their blood will be victors and share the throne of the Lord of Life.
Thomas needs irrefutable evidence. He sees the Lord and makes the ultimate proclamation of the Gospel: My Lord and my God. He gives to Jesus the title that the Old Testament gives to Yahweh God.
Our faith in the Risen Lord is based on the witness of the disciples. Filled with the Spirit they were changed from fearful and paralyzed to men who rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer for Jesus’ sake. One by one they gave their lives for the One who had conquered death. Even the Roman Empire could not resist the Resurrection.
“Blessed are those who have not seen but have believed”. We will not see with our eyes but our faith can give us the same experience that Thomas and the Disciples had. Spirit filled, we too can bring love and forgiveness to the world.
Do you desire to have the experience of the Risen Lord? You, like Thomas, will find him in the faith community and in prayer one to One.
Father, may others see the Risen Lord in me and come to believe.
This reflection is from "The Salt to the Earth"
This reflection is from "The Salt to the Earth"
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