Second Sunday of Easter
Intro: one of the signs of the presence of the Kingdom of God was the healing of the blind, the dea the lame and the sick. The disciples were commissioned to continue Christ's mission by offering healing, and accepting it from others - like ourselves!
Readings: Acts tells us how the apostles fearlessly continue Christ's work: people begin to believe them, in spite of their initial fears, because they see the signs and wonders which are worked.
By the end of the apostolic age in which John is writing, the infant Church is already suffering persecution: John himself has been exiled to the island of Patmos, from which he shares his prophecies and visions, in order to encourage others in the belief that the Lord Who was dead now lives forever.
Acts 5: 12-15;
Apocalypse 1: 9-13; 17-19;
John 20: 19-31
Wounds are something which we're all likely to receive at some time during our lives - through surgery .. giving birth .. an injury at work whether in a factory, or a building site, at home .. a fight .. or simply by taking part in sport or hobbies; while someone treated with contempt can become very introverted; children who are physically or mentally treated cruelly may grow up with deeply scarred personalities.
When Jesus appears to His apostles, they're huddled in that same upper room where they had celebrated the Passover feast. He makes no mention of the last time He had met them, no reproach, no "where were you when I needed you?" Instead, He greets them with the traditional Jewish greeting of peace, inviting Thomas to make an act of faith. He also commissions them to take the good news of His resurrection to the waiting world.
For us, perhaps Thomas is the most realistic character - no shilly-shallying, or beating about the bush, simply, "I'm not going to believe until I can touch Him." We can understand and sympathise with his lack of belief, because most of us will, or have, experienced, periods of doubt in our faith, either through anxiety, fear or disappointment. Sometimes we're afraid to believe - to make that leap across what seems like an empty space, that jump in the dark. Try, for example walking along with your eyes closed for more than twenty steps. Frightening, because of the possible consequences? So what might it mean to our comfortable lives if we really believed and accepted Christ's mission? Is it simply a lack of trust? Unless we hear Him say "peace be with you" on a personal basis, do we remain unconvinced of His presence and unready for our mission?
Like Thomas, we can only come to belief and trust in God if we're open to doing so. God loves us, and will always love us. Whenever Thomas expressed his doubt about possible fake news, Jesus didn't condemn him, go in the huff with him, or dismiss him in a blaze of anger. He simply invited Thomas to come closer and touch His wounds.
We have to overcome our doubts, our fears and our anxieties as we move towards belief, towards trust. We must reach out towards our God, Who invites us to come closer, as Jesus did to Thomas, who finally professed his faith. Jesus is present in our Eucharist as food for our souls; He is present in the Sacrament of reconciliation. So do we act on that belief by making regular use of the confessional, by receiving Him in communion? Doubt no longer, but believe
Intercessions
Having received our own gift of faith, we raise our minds and hearts to ask in confidence for God's blessings upon ourselves and upon our world:-
1. For our Holy Father and his fellow bishops. As the successors of the apostles, may they continue their mission of preaching the good news of the resurrection faithfully and fearlessly - Lord, hear us.
2. For the world around us. May the peace of the risen Christ take root in the hearts of people in Ukraine, Russia and throughout our world - Lord, hear us.
3. For those whose lives and faith have been damaged by suffering, despair or hurt. Renew their sense of trust and hope through Your presence - Lord, hear us.
4. For ourselves and our families. May the love and healing we receive through our reception of the Eucharist bring us to a closer understanding of the same love we must show to them - Lord, hear us.
5. For Mamie McCallum, John Lynch and Bobby McCran who have died recently; and for William Watson, Nancy Johnston, Jean Murphy and Laurie McCourt, whose anniversaries occur abourt this time. May they rise to new life, along with their risen Lord, to rejoice with Mary and the angels and saints in Heaven - Lord, hear us.
God our Father, we place these prayers before You, confident that You will hear them, because they are made in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.