Reflections

In his parable of the lost sheep, Jesus tells of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep behind in order to find the single sheep who went astray. After finding it, rescuing it, and bringing it home, he rejoices for the sake of this one who was lost and is now found. Fast forward to today’s Gospel.  When Jesus appeared to the disciples after his death and resurrection, a single disciple was missing: Thomas.  John doesn’t specifically mention that Jesus noticed, but undoubtedly he realized his absence. And so the following week the Good Shepherd returns, intent on finding Thomas, whose doubts had led him astray, to restore him to the fold. And Thomas, perhaps realizing that the Lord had returned just for him, just to relieve his doubts, just to convince him “do not be unbelieving, but believe,” makes the most definitive confession possible: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:27–28).
 

Question of the Week

What wounds in my community can I help make whole? How will I do this?

-from Pastoral Patterns

LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, April 24th, 2022, Second Sunday of Easter,  Sunday of Divine Mercy.

SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, April 24th, 2022, Second Sunday of Easter,  Sunday of Divine Mercy.

Sometimes, it may be hard to remember that we live in Jesus’ victory over sin and death, we are not waiting on it. And we, who have not seen and yet believe, are truly blessed, as Jesus so compassionately proclaims to Thomas in today’s Gospel.

Jesus showed his Apostles great mercy, even after they abandoned him in his greatest hour of need, running and hiding in fear — only St. John the Evangelist (along with some of the women) remained and stood at the foot of the cross. However, Jesus’ greeting as he stands among the Apostles is not a chastisement but instead, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). Jesus demonstrates the limitless power of his mercy as he breathes the Spirit upon them, conferring the authority to forgive sins. In yet another way, fulfilling the words spoken as Jesus washed their feet, “For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15).

St. Thomas, sometimes called “Doubting Thomas,” is the only Apostle missing during this incredible encounter with the Risen Christ. He struggles to believe, he requires signs and wonders, physical evidence to open his eyes to the Truth. Is that not still true today, a world so suspect of everyone and everything they struggle to believe? However, unlike Thomas, who proclaimed “My Lord and My God,” when Christ reveals himself, so many people find temporal explanations to keep them from embracing the Savior they so desperately need — who longs to be in communion with them. Maybethey entertain the idea of God for a moment, then, like the seed in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13), they foolishly allow any glimmer of hope to be blown away, devoured, scorched, or withered.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (699), “Jesus heals the sick and blesses little

children by laying hands on them. In his name, the Apostles will do the same.” Even more pointedly, today, that same power flows through our bishops and priests (and deacons), through the imposition of hands, as they continue the work of Jesus and his Apostles.

We experience this spiritual healing most profoundly through the Sacrament of Confession. Here, we encounter Christ in a real and personal way, to be cleansed of our iniquities and strengthened with the grace to go forth and sin no more. Although we will fall again, the grace that we receive in the sacraments empowers us to resist temptation and seek God over the things of this world, even if it’s just for a little while. Made right with God through this sacrament, we experience an outpouring of God’s mercy.

Even the most fervent follower of Christ will fail; gratefully, God’s love never does!

-by Allison Gingras