Second Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Second Sunday of Easter April 07, 2024 

Divine Mercy Sunday

Readings:  Acts 4, 32-35;    1 John 5, 1-6;    John 20:19-31

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Word spread across the countryside about the wise Holy Man who lived in a small house atop the mountain. A man from the village decided to make the long and difficult journey to visit him. When he arrived at the house, he saw an old servant inside greeting him at the door. “I would like to see the wise Holy Man,” he said to the servant. The servant smiled and led him inside. As they walked through the house, the man from the village looked eagerly around the house, anticipating his encounter with the Holy Man. Before he knew it, he had been led to the back door and escorted outside. He stopped and turned to the servant, “But I want to see the Holy Man!” “You already have,” said the old man. “Everyone you may meet in life, even if they appear plain and insignificant… see each of them as a wise Holy Man. If you do this, the problem you brought here today will be solved.”

We are on the Second Sunday of Easter. Shall we call this day a Sunday of doubt? Doubt is the key to knowledge.  Jesus appears to the disciples and Thomas was not among the eleven. Jesus appears again when Thomas was present. The gospel is about Thomas who doubts that the Lord is raised from the dead. He manifested a lack of trust. And because of his doubt, the term ‘doubting Thomas’ was coined to describe all doubters and skeptics and even pessimists. But it’s good to doubt sometimes because as I have already said, “Doubt is the key of knowledge.” Those who inquire without hesitation learn best.

We can also learn from Thomas about his being doubtful. At least he was honest that he did not understand what was happening. He was just sincere he was not jack-of-all-trade. Unlike us, we show that we know and yet we are not.

Jesus in today’s gospel refers to His friends who were not present, saying: “Blessed are they who have not seen and yet believe,” (v. 29). In other words, those who have faith in Him just like us are blessed indeed.

Thomas's encounter with the risen Christ teaches us the importance of community in nurturing and sustaining our faith. Thomas was not alone in his doubt; he was surrounded by fellow disciples who bore witness to the resurrection. Likewise, we are called to journey together in faith, supporting and encouraging one another through times of uncertainty.

In this era of skepticism and cynicism, it is imperative for the Church to represent a community of grace, one where expressing doubts is not met with judgment. Spaces must be cultivated where people can openly grapple with their faith, assured they are supported by a compassionate and empathetic community.

In reflecting on Thomas's narrative, we should also contemplate the wounds of Christ, to which Thomas was beckoned to reach out. These wounds represent not frailty but victory, symbolizing Christ's conquest over sin and death, achieved by His selfless love upon the cross. They stand as evidence of God's profound mercy and the magnitude of His salvation.

Ultimately, the resurrection of Christ stands as the definitive remedy to doubt. It serves as the foundation of our faith, providing hope amidst despair, illumination in obscurity, and existence after death. Like Thomas, let us meet the risen Christ in the midst of our uncertainties, and let our hearts resonate with his declaration, "My Lord and my God!"

Let us welcome doubt as a means to deepen our faith, placing our trust in the transformative encounter with the living God. As a community bound by grace, let us support each other in moments of uncertainty. And let the wounds of Christ serve as a reminder of His triumphant love and our redemption.

Today, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. Let us proclaim, "Jesus, I trust in You. Jesus, I trust in Your presence around me. Jesus, I trust in the peace You grant me. Jesus, I trust in the unconditional love You bestow upon me."

Happy Feast