Jesus Appears to his Disciples again

The Sunday Gospel [May 1, 2011 - Divine Mercy Sunday]

John 20:19-31

Jesus Appears to his Disciples again

19 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." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

24 Thomas, called Didymus, 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 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."

26 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." 27 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." 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. 31 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.

Reflection

“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” ~ Jesus in v. 29b

Today is a day of double blessing. Not only do we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday but we also honor Pope John Paul II, who will be beatified today in Rome. In honor of this event, we want to offer some excerpts from John Paul’s first homily as Pope, given on the day of his inauguration, October 22, 1978. May his words, his spirit, and his love for Jesus continue to inspire all of us!

“On this day and in this place these same words must again be uttered and listened to: ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God’” (Matthew 16:16).

“Yes, Brothers and sons and daughters, these words first of all. Their content reveals to our eyes the mystery of the living God. … He who is infinite, inscrutable, ineffable, has come close to us in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary in the stable at Bethlehem.

“All of you who are still seeking God, all of you who already have the inestimable good fortune to believe and also you are tormented by doubt: Please listen once again, today in this sacred place, to the words uttered by Simon Peter. . . .

“Brothers and sisters do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power. . . . Open wide the doors for Christ. . . . Christ knows what is in man. He alone knows it. So often today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair. We ask you therefore, we beg you with humility, let Christ speak to man. He alone has words of life, of eternal life..”

“Thank you, Lord, for the life of Blessed Pope John Paul II! As we celebrate your mercy today, fill us with hope in you. Help us all to ‘Be not afraid!’” Amen.

Credits: the WORD among us

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).