Second Sunday of Easter
Sunday of Divine Mercy
Lectionary: 44
Sunday of Divine Mercy
Lectionary: 44
The community of
believers was of one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.
Responsorial PsalmPS 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
R. (1) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his
love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I was hard pressed and was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just:
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I was hard pressed and was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just:
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 21 JN 5:1-6
Beloved:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,
and everyone who loves the Father
loves also the one begotten by him.
In this way we know that we love the children of God
when we love God and obey his commandments.
For the love of God is this,
that we keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and blood.
The Spirit is the one that testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,
and everyone who loves the Father
loves also the one begotten by him.
In this way we know that we love the children of God
when we love God and obey his commandments.
For the love of God is this,
that we keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and blood.
The Spirit is the one that testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
AlleluiaJN 20:29
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen me, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen me, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 20:19-31
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.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
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.”
Thomas, called Didymus, one of 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 nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
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 and have believed.”
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 Christ, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
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.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
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.”
Thomas, called Didymus, one of 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 nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
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 and have believed.”
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 Christ, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
Scripture Study, April
12, 2015
April 12, 2015 Second
Sunday of Easter – Divine Mercy Sunday
Happy Easter! Yes it is still Easter. After
spending 40 days of Lent preparing ourselves for Easter we spend the 50 days of
the Easter Season celebrating the core event of our faith. During this time the
readings tell us about the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to the
disciples and what those appearances mean to us as followers of the “Risen
One.” This Sunday the Church celebrates the Octave Day of Easter also called
the Second Sunday of Easter. The readings for this Sunday deal with the person
of our resurrected Savior and His presence in the community of His followers.
As He was present with the disciples nearly 2000 years ago He still with us
today. Do I recognize His presence and how do I let it affect my life?
First Reading: Acts 4:32-35
32 The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and
no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything
in common. 33 With great power the apostles bore
witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded
them all. 34 There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of
the sale, 35 and put them at the feet of the
apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.
NOTES on First Reading:
* 4:32-35 This section is a “summary
composition” adjoining two separate incidents from Luke’s (Luke is the author
of Acts) tradition. It generalizes and idealizes the individual cases that are
immediately adjoining it. There was already in Luke’s time a well established
tradition of such “utopian” descriptions in Greek literature. He followed the
common tendency and developed a “golden age” impression of the church in the
apostolic age. Since the ideal being described is based upon the Lucan gospel’s
emphasis on renunciation of possessions it is not without value as an example
of Gospel living as long as it is not taken too literally as a historical
account.
* 4:33 The apostle’s deeds of power marked and
validated their testimony of the resurrection (1:21- 23; 3:12-16). In them the
“Risen One” continued His activity in the world.
* 4:35 Luke seems to understand the surrender
of possessions as voluntary and to be related to the needs of the community
rather than as mandatory or systematic.
Second Reading: 1 John 5:1-6
1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten
by God, and everyone who loves the father loves (also) the one begotten by him. 2 In this way we know that we love the children of God when
we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God
is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not
burdensome, 4 for whoever is begotten by God conquers
the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. 5 Who (indeed) is the victor over the world but the one who
believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the one
who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by
water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth.
NOTES on Second Reading:
* 5:1-12 Much of 1 John deals with a schism in
one of the Johannine communities. The author instructs the remaining members be
faithful and loving toward one another. In this section the letter presents a
final argument against the dissidents.
* 5:1-5 Here the writer links the theme of
faith in Jesus as the Son of God with the love command of Jesus.
* 5:1 A conventional maxim of the time is used
to tie love of God to the love of fellow Christians from 4:20-21.
* 5:4 The victory over the world was won when
Christians were converted (2:13,14). The word of God or the “anointing” that it
carries is the source of this victory (4:4) won by Jesus.
* 5:6-12 This section expands the affirmation
that belief is the source of eternal life in two directions: Belief must
include His coming in water and in blood. Belief in the Son is grounded in
God’s own testimony. In John 1:31-32, John the Baptist testifies that
revelation of Jesus as preexistent Son was linked to the descent of the Spirit
and to Baptism (1 John 5:7 refers to testimony by the Spirit). Jesus’ sending
is associated with the boundless gift of the Spirit (John 3:34; 7:38- 39). The
stress that is laid on the blood may indicate that the dissidents acknowledged
salvation as stemming from the Spirit and water (Baptism) but did not appreciate
the role of the crucifixion. Crucifixion was not a respectable or acceptable
way to die. Early converts to Christ had much difficulty overcoming their
cultural aversion to a “Crucified Savior.” John 19:35 is often speculated to
have been inserted in order to emphasize that this conviction about the value
and importance of the death of Jesus goes back to the “beloved disciple,”
himself.
Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-31
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.
NOTES on Gospel:
* 20:19-29 The appearances to the disciples,
without or with Thomas (John 11:16; 14:5), have rough parallels in the other
gospels only for John 20:19-23; see Luke 24:36-39; Mark 16:14-18.
Implicitly from John 20:24 “the disciples”
means ten of the Twelve, presumably in Jerusalem. “Peace be with you” echoes
John 14:27. The theme of rejoicing in John 20:20 echoes John 16:22.
* 20:20 In contrast to John, Luke 24:39-40
mentions “hands and feet,” based on Psalm 22:17.
* 20:21 Though John does not use the noun in
reference to them, this is where the Eleven really become Apostles (“those
sent”); see John 17:18. Matthew 28:19, Luke 24:47, and Mark 16:15 also make a
solemn mission or “sending” the subject of the post-resurrection appearances to
the Eleven.
* 20:22 This action echoes Genesis 2:7, where
God breathed on the first man and gave him life. Just as Adam’s life came from
God, so now the disciples’ new spiritual life comes from Jesus. They are new
creations in this Spirit of Jesus. See also the revivification of the dry bones
in Ezekiel 37. This event is John’s version of the Pentecost story.
The apostles did truly receive the Holy Spirit at this time although the gifts of the Holy Spirit were not manifested until Pentecost.
The apostles did truly receive the Holy Spirit at this time although the gifts of the Holy Spirit were not manifested until Pentecost.
* Jn 20:22-23 On October 25, 1551, in “Canons
on the Sacrament of Penance,” canon 3, the Council of Trent said that verses 22
and 23 are to be understood as referring to the power of remitting and
retaining sins in the sacrament of penance, and not simply to an authority for
preaching the Gospel. This was and had always been the traditional
understanding of these verses within the Catholic Church.
* 20:23 Jesus here gives his apostles the task
of continuing His ministry of reconciliation. They are charged with the task of
forgiving sins as He had done during His ministry. This was defined by the
Council of Trent as a scriptural basis for the sacrament of Penance or
Reconciliation. See Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18.
* 20:28 The words, “My Lord and my God”, form
a literary inclusion with the first verse of the gospel, “and the Word was
God.”
* 20:29 This verse is a beatitude on future
generations. Jesus tells us that faith, not sight, matters.
* 20:30-31 These verses are clearly a
conclusion to the gospel and express its purpose. Many manuscripts read come to
believe, possibly implying a missionary purpose for John’s gospel but a small
number of quite early ones read “continue to believe,” which many scholars
suggest, indicates that the audience consists of Christians whose faith was to
be deepened by the book. See John 19:35.
Meditation: "Unless I see - I will not
believe"
Do you know the joy of the resurrection? The Risen Lord Jesus
revealed the glory of his resurrection to his disciples gradually and over a
period of time. Even after the apostles saw the empty tomb and heard the
reports of Jesus' appearance to the women, they were still weak in faith and
fearful of being arrested by the Jewish authorities. When Jesus appeared to
them he offered proofs of his resurrection by showing them the wounds of his
passion, his pierced hands and side. He calmed their fears and brought them
peace, the peace which reconciles sinners and makes us friends of God.
Jesus did something which only love and trust can do. He
commissioned his weak and timid apostles to bring the good news of the Gospel
to the ends of the earth. This sending out of the disciples is parallel to the
sending out of Jesus by his heavenly Father. Jesus fulfilled his mission
through his perfect love and obedience to the will of his Father. He called his
first disciples and he now calls each one of us to do the same. Just as
he gave his first disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit, so he breathes on each
of us the same Holy Spirit who equips us with new life, power, joy, and courage
to live each day as followers of the Risen Lord.
The last apostle to meet the resurrected Lord was the first to
go with him to Jerusalem at Passover time. The apostle Thomas was a natural
pessimist. When Jesus proposed that they visit Lazarus after receiving news of
his illness, Thomas said to the disciples: "Let us also go, that
we may die with him" (John 11:16). While Thomas deeply loved the Lord,
he lacked the courage to stand with Jesus in his passion and crucifixion. After
Jesus' death, Thomas made the mistake of withdrawing from the other apostles.
He sought loneliness rather than fellowship in his time of trial and adversity.
He doubted the women who saw the resurrected Jesus and he doubted his own
fellow apostles.
When Thomas finally had the courage to rejoin the other
apostles, the Lord Jesus made his presence known to him and reassured him that
he had indeed overcome death and risen again. When Thomas recognized his
Master, he believed and exclaimed that Jesus was truly Lord and truly God!
Through the gift of faith we, too, proclaim that Jesus is our personal Lord and
our God. He died and rose that we, too, might have new life in him. The Lord
offers each of us new life in his Holy Spirit that we may know him personally
and walk in this new way of life through the power of his resurrection. Do you
believe in the good news of the Gospel and in the power of the Holy Spirit to
bring you new life, hope, and joy?
"Lord Jesus Christ, through your victory over sin and death
you have overcome all the powers of sin and darkness. Help me to draw near to
you and to trust in your life-giving word. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and
strengthen my faith in your promises and my hope in the power of your
resurrection."
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The
Limit of Evil
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April 12, 2015.
Second Sunday of Easter
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Sunday of Divine Mercy
John 20:19-31
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.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again,
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 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." Thomas, called Didymus, one of 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." 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 and have believed." 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 Christ, the
Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe in your grace and your
love for me. This is why I come before you now. I know that through
this meditation I can experience your love and be filled with your grace, so
that I might fulfill my role in your plan of salvation. You know that I am
weak and am sometimes tempted to lose heart. But I know I can count on your
generous graces to bolster my courage and love. For my part, I will strive to
spend this time with you well.
Petition: Jesus Christ, let me know your heart.
1. Touch His Heart: In this passage, Christ puts himself within
touching distance of Thomas’ finger and hand. He invites this apostle,
struggling with doubt, to reach into his side and come into contact with that
Sacred Heart, filled to the brim with mercy. Not only could there no longer
be any doubt about the Savior’s resurrected body, there also could no longer
be any doubt about his mercy which he promised in the
forgiveness of sins. With Thomas, then, let us come within touching distance
of this heart of Christ and peer through his open side to see the heart that
so loves all souls.
2. Allowing Him Touch My Heart: Not only do we want to touch Christ’s heart,
we also want to invite the Lord to touch our hearts. Just
like the lepers who presented their disfigured flesh for Christ to touch and
cure, so we present our disfigured souls, asking him to touch and to cure. St.
Faustina would say that all that is necessary is for us to leave the door of
our heart ajar and God will do the rest. Let us present to his “sacred
finger” what in us needs to be touched by his grace, especially through the
sacrament of reconciliation.
3. Thirsting for All Hearts: In Christ, the greatest thirsting love is
too often met by the most outrageous ingratitude and affront on the part of
souls. The Sacred Heart made mention of this in the pangs of his heart voiced
to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. He explained to her that his sharpest pain was
due to people’s ingratitude. Let us endeavor to bring his thirsting heart
into contact with souls, though our prayers, sacrifices and apostolic
efforts.
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you for the example of
love and mercy you give us through your appearance to the disciples and your
kindness to St. Thomas. May my heart always be full of gratitude and remain
close to your loving, merciful touch.
Resolution: I will pray that someone I know may experience
God’s mercy in the sacrament of confession. If possible, I will help someone
directly to make this happen.
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SOLEMNITY OF THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER,
OR SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY, JOHN 20:19-31
(Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 118; 1 John 5:1-6)
OR SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY, JOHN 20:19-31
(Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 118; 1 John 5:1-6)
KEY VERSE: "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed" (v 29).
TO READ: On the evening of the resurrection, the disciples were gathered in fear behind locked doors. They were overjoyed when the Risen Lord appeared in their midst with a greeting of "peace" (Hebrew, Shalom). Just as God breathed life into Adam, the first living being (Gn 2:7), the Son of God breathed the life-giving Spirit upon his disciples, sending them forth with the power to forgive sins. Thomas (called Didymus, meaning “twin”) was absent on this occasion and he refused to believe their testimony. His defiant words "unless I see" (v 25) came from one who knew Jesus as an intimate friend. A week later, the Risen Christ appeared again, and this time Thomas was present. When Thomas touched Christ's wounds, he declared Jesus to be his "Lord and God." Jesus told Thomas that those who believed in faith were more blessed than those who needed visible proof.
TO REFLECT: Am I Thomas’ twin? Do I refuse to believe unless I see?
TO RESPOND: My Lord and my God, help me to believe when my faith wavers.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
Sr. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, was God’s instrument to begin the spiritual movement of Divine Mercy: to proclaim God's mercy toward every human being. Her spiritual legacy to the Church was inspired by a vision in which Jesus himself told her that a painting should be made of his image with the invocation "Jesus, I trust in you." She commissioned the painting in 1935. Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, then Archbishop of Krakow (later Pope John Paul II), began Sr. Faustina's process of beatification. At the canonization of St. Faustina in 2000, John Paul II designated the Second Sunday of Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday. On August 17, 2003, John Paul II entrusted the world to Divine Mercy when he dedicated the new shrine of Lagiewniki, a suburb of Krakow, located next to the convent where St. Faustina lived and died. Pope John Paul II's final days coincided with the Church's preparation to celebrate the feast he described as flowing from Christ's "most profound mercy," and which he himself established.
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
For recitation on a chaplet or ordinary rosary beads, begin with the Sign of the Cross. Continue by saying one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Apostles Creed. Then on the OUR FATHER bead say the following words: "Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world." On the 10 HAIL MARY beads say: "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." Continue around the chaplet. In conclusion recite these words three times: "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world." End with the Sign of the Cross.
Sunday 12 April 2015
2nd Sunday of Easter. W.
Acts 4:32-35. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting—Ps 117(118):2-4, 15-18, 22-24. 1 John 5:1-6. John 20:19-31.
Acts 4:32-35. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting—Ps 117(118):2-4, 15-18, 22-24. 1 John 5:1-6. John 20:19-31.
‘Peace be with you.’
We often emphasise Thomas’
refusal to believe the other disciples when they claimed Jesus had appeared to
them. We forget how crazy it must have sounded. Less often, we focus on the
delight it gave Jesus to reassure them all, maybe especially Thomas, that it
really was he standing among them. Maybe he smiled teasingly as Thomas made
good on his need to feel Jesus’ wounds.
In the Fourth Week of the
Spiritual Exercises, we ask to share in the joy of Jesus as he savours the
victory of his risen life. In this scene, that joy spreads through the group
and peace deepens in them. After all that had happened, evil had not won.
Nothing had been lost. Jesus, reassure me that there will be no final victory
of evil, but let me continue your work against it.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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Love and Serve
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Let’s love God wholeheartedly and love and care for our families
in ways that provide an example to those around us. We should strive always to
deepen our love for the Church and look for ways to serve. Loving our neighbor
means doing anything we can to help those we encounter on life’s journey.
April
12
St. Teresa of Los Andes
(1900-1920)
St. Teresa of Los Andes
(1900-1920)
One needn’t live a long life to leave a deep imprint. Teresa of
Los Andes is proof of that.
As a
young girl growing up in Santiago, Chile, in the early 1900s, she read an
autobiography of a French-born saint—Thérèse, popularly known as the Little
Flower. The experience deepened her desire to serve God and clarified the path
she would follow. At age 19 she became a Carmelite nun, taking the name of
Teresa.
The
convent offered the simple lifestyle Teresa desired and the joy of living in a
community of women completely devoted to God. She focused her days on prayer
and sacrifice. “I am God’s,” she wrote in her diary. “He created me and is my
beginning and my end.”
Toward
the end of her short life, Teresa began an apostolate of letter-writing,
sharing her thoughts on the spiritual life with many people. At age 20 she
contracted typhus and quickly took her final vows. She died a short time later,
during Holy Week.
Teresa
remains popular with the estimated 100,000 pilgrims who visit her shrine in Los
Andes each year. She is Chile’s first saint.
LECTIO DIVINA:
2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER (B)
Lectio:
Sunday, April 12, 2015
The mission of the disciples and
the witness of Thomas the apostle
John 20:19-31
the witness of Thomas the apostle
John 20:19-31
1. Opening prayer
Father, who on the Lord’s day gather your people to celebrate the One who is the First and the Last, the living One who conquered death, grant us the strength of your Spirit so that, having broken the chains of evil, calmed our fears and indecisions, we may render the free service of our obedience and love, to reign in glory with Christ.
Father, who on the Lord’s day gather your people to celebrate the One who is the First and the Last, the living One who conquered death, grant us the strength of your Spirit so that, having broken the chains of evil, calmed our fears and indecisions, we may render the free service of our obedience and love, to reign in glory with Christ.
2. LECTIO
a) A key to the reading
We are in the so-called “book of the
resurrection” where we are told, in a not-so-logical sequence, several matters
concerning the risen Christ and the facts that prove it. In the fourth Gospel,
these facts take place in the morning (20:1-18) and evening of the first day
after the Saturday and eight days later, in the same place and on the same day
of the week. We are before an event that is the most important in the history
of humanity, an event that challenges us personally. “If Christ has not been
raised then our preaching is useless and your believing it is useless… and you
are still in your sins” (1Cor 15:14,17) says Paul the apostle who had not known
Jesus before his resurrection, but who zealously preached him all his life.
Jesus is the sent of the Father. He also sends us. Our willingness to “go”
comes from the depth of the faith we have in the Risen One. Are we prepared to
accept his “mandate” and to give our lives for his Kingdom? This passage is not
just about the faith of those who have not seen (the witness of Thomas), but
also about the mission entrusted to the Church by Christ.
b) A suggested division of the text to
facilitate its reading
20:19-20: appearance to the disciples and showing of the wounds
20:21-23: gift of the Spirit for the mission
20:24-26: special appearance to Thomas eight days later
20:27-29: dialogue with Thomas
20:30-31: the aim of the Gospel according to John
20:21-23: gift of the Spirit for the mission
20:24-26: special appearance to Thomas eight days later
20:27-29: dialogue with Thomas
20:30-31: the aim of the Gospel according to John
c) The text:
19 On the evening of that day, the first day
of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with
you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them
again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send
you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are
forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."
26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."
26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
3. A moment of silence
to allow the Word to enter into our hearts
4. MEDITATIO
a) A few questions to help in our meditation:
Who or what drew my interest and wonder in the
reading? Is it possible for someone to profess being Christian and yet not
believe in the Resurrection of Jesus? Is it so important to believe in the
resurrection? What would be different if we stopped at his teaching and witness
of life? What does the gift of the Spirit for the mission mean to me? How does
Jesus’ mission in the world continue after the Resurrection? What is the
content of the missionary proclamation? What value has Thomas’ witness for me?
What are, if any, my doubts concerning the faith? How do I meet them and still
carry on? Am I able to give reasons for my faith?
b) Comment:
In the evening of that same day, the first day
of the week: the disciples are
living through an extraordinary day. For the community, at the time of the
writing of the fourth Gospel, the day after the Sabbath is already “the Lord’s
day” (Ap 1:10), Dies Domini (Sunday) and is more important than the Sabbath was
in the tradition of the Jews.
The doors were closed: a detail which shows that the body of the
risen Jesus, even though recognisable, is not subject to the ordinary laws of
human life.
Peace be with you: this is not just a wish, but the actual
peace promised to them when they were saddened by his departure (Jn 14:27;
2Thes 3:16; Rom 5:3), the messianic peace, the fulfilment of the promises made
by God, freedom from all fear, victory over sin and death, reconciliation with
God, fruit of his passion, free gift of God. This peace is repeated three times
in this passage as well as in the introduction (20:19) further on (20:26) in
the exact same way.
He showed them his hands and his side: Jesus provides evident and tangible proof
that he is the one who was crucified. Only John records the detail of the wound
in the side caused by the spear of a Roman soldier, whereas Luke mentions the
wound of the feet (Lk 24:39). In showing his wounds, Jesus wants to say that
the peace he gives comes from the cross (2Tim 2:1-13). They are part of his
identity as the risen One (Ap 5:6).
The disciples were filled with joy when they
saw the Lord: This is the same joy
expressed by the prophet Isaiah when he describes the divine banquet (Is
25:8-9), the eschatological joy foreshadowed in the farewell speech and that no
one can take away (Jn 16:22; 20:27). Cfr. also Lk 24:39-40; Mt 28:8; Lk 24:41.
As the Father sent me, so am I sending you: Jesus is the first missionary, “the apostle
and high priest of the faith we profess” (Ap 3:1). After the experience of the
cross and the resurrection, Jesus’ prayer to the Father comes true (Jn 13:20;
17:18; 21:15,17). This is not a new mission, but the mission of Jesus extended
to those who are his disciples, bound to him like branches are bound to the
vine (15:9), so also they are bound to his Church (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-18; Lk
24:47-49). The eternal Son of God was sent so that “the world might be saved
through him” (Jn 3:17) and the whole of his earthly existence, fully identified
with the saving will of the Father, is a constant manifestation of that divine
will that all may be saved. He leaves as an inheritance this historical project
to the whole Church and, especially to ordained ministers within that Church.
He breathed on them: this action recalling the life-giving breath
of God on man (Gen 2:7), does not occur anywhere else in the New Testament. It
marks the beginning of a new creation.
Receive the Holy Spirit: after Jesus was glorified, the Holy Spirit
was bestowed (Jn 7:39). Here the Spirit is transmitted for a special mission,
whereas at Pentecost (Acts 2) the Holy Spirit comes down on the whole people of
God.
For those whose sins you forgive they are
forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained: we find the power to forgive or not forgive
sins also in Matthew in a more juridical form (Mt 16:19; 18:18). According to
the Scribes and Pharisees (Mk 2:7), and according to tradition (Is 43:25), God
has the power to forgive sins. Jesus gives this power (Lk 5:24) and passes it
on to his Church. In our meditation, it is better not to dwell on this text’s
theological development in church tradition and the consequent theological
controversies. In the fourth Gospel the expression may be taken in a wide
sense. Here it is a matter of the power of forgiving sins in the Church as
salvation community and those especially endowed with this power are those who
share in the apostolic charism by succession and mission. In this general power
is included the power to forgive sins also after baptism, what we call “the
sacrament of reconciliation” expressed in various forms throughout the history
of the Church.
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the
Twelve: Thomas is one of the
main characters of the fourth Gospel and his doubting character, easily
discouraged, is emphasised (11:16; 14:5). “One of the twelve” is by now a
stereotyped expression (6:71), because in fact they were only eleven. “Didimus”
means “the Twin”, and we could be his “twins” through our difficulty in
believing in Jesus, Son of God who died and rose again.
We have seen the Lord! When Andrew, John and Philip had found
the Messiah, they had already run to announce the news to others (Jn 1:41-45).
Now there is the official proclamation by eye-witnesses (Jn 20:18).
Unless I 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: Thomas cannot believe the eye-witnesses. He wants to
experience the event himself. The fourth Gospel is aware of the difficulty that
some may have in believing in the Resurrection (Lk 24; 34-40; MK 16:11; 1Cor
15:5-8), especially those who have not seen the risen One. Thomas is their (and
our) interpreter. He is willing to believe, but he wants to resolve personally
any doubt, for fear of being wrong. Jesus does not see in Thomas an indifferent
sceptic, but a man in search of truth and satisfies him fully. This is,
however, an occasion to express an appreciation of future believers (verse 29).
Put your finger here, look, here are my hands.
Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe! Jesus repeats the words of Thomas and
enters into a dialogue with him. He understands Thomas’ doubts and wishes to
help him. Jesus knows that Thomas loves him and therefore has compassion for
him because Thomas does not yet enjoy the peace that comes from faith. Jesus
helps him to grow in faith. In order to enter deeper into this theme, see the
parallels in: 1Jn 1-2; Ps 78:38; 103:13-14; Rom 5:20; 1Tim 1:14-16.
My Lord and my God! This is a profession of faith in the
risen One and in his divinity as is also proclaimed in the beginning of John’s
Gospel (1:1). In the Old Testament “Lord” and “God” correspond respectively to
“Yahweh” and “Elohim” (Ps 35:23-24; Ap 4:11). It is the fullest and most direct
paschal profession of faith in the divinity of Jesus. In Jewish circles these
terms had greater value because they applied to Jesus texts concerning God.
Jesus does not correct the words of Thomas as he corrected the words of the
Jews who accused him of wanting to be “equal to God” (Jn 5:18ff) thus approving
the acknowledgement of his divinity.
You believe because you can see me. Happy are
those who have not seen and yet believe! Jesus cannot stand those who look for signs and miracles
in order to believe (Jn 4:48) and he seems to take Thomas to task. Here we must
remember another passage concerning a more authentic faith, a “way of
perfection” towards a faith to which we must aspire without the demands of
Thomas, a faith received as gift and as an act of trust, like the exemplary
faith of our ancestors (Ap 11) and of Mary (Lk 1:45). We, who are two thousand
years after the coming of Jesus, are told that, although we have not seen him,
yet we can love him and believing in him we can exult with “an indescribable
and glorious joy” (1Pt 1:8).
These (signs) 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 fourth Gospel, like the other Gospels, does not mean
to write a complete biography of Jesus, but only to show that Jesus was the
Christ, the awaited Messiah, the Liberator, and that he was the Son of God.
Believing in him means that we possess eternal life. If Jesus is not God, then
our faith is in vain!
5. ORATIO
Psalm 118 (117)
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever!
Let Israel say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."
Let the house of Aaron say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."
Let those who fear the LORD say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."
his steadfast love endures for ever!
Let Israel say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."
Let the house of Aaron say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."
Let those who fear the LORD say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."
I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
Hark, glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous.
but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
Hark, glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the head of the corner.
This is the Lord's doing;
it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech thee, O Lord! O Lord,
we beseech thee, give us success!
has become the head of the corner.
This is the Lord's doing;
it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech thee, O Lord! O Lord,
we beseech thee, give us success!
6. CONTEMPLATIO
Closing prayer
I thank you Jesus, my Lord and my God, that
you have loved me and called me, made me worthy to be your disciple, that you
have given me the Spirit, the One sent to proclaim and witness to your
resurrection, to the mercy of the Father, to salvation and pardon for all men
and women in the world. You truly are the way, the truth and the life, the dawn
without a setting, the sun of justice and peace. Grant that I may dwell in your
love, bound to you like a branch to its vine. Grant me your peace so that I may
overcome my weaknesses, face my doubts and respond to your call and live fully
the mission you entrusted to me, praising you forever. You who live and reign
forever and ever. Amen.
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