April 23, 2017

Gospel: Jn 20:19-31
On the evening of that day, the first day after the Sabbath, the doors were locked where the disciples were, because of their fear of the Jews. But Jesus came, and stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!” Then he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples, seeing the Lord, were full of joy.
Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” After saying this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; those whose sins you retain, they are retained.”
Thomas, the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he replied, “Until I have seen in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
Eight days later, the disciples were again inside the house and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; stretch out your hand, and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe!”
Thomas said, “You are my Lord and my God.” Jesus replied, “You believe because you see me, don’t you? Happy are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
There were many other signs that Jesus gave in the presence of his disciples, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Believe, and you will have life through his name!

REFLECTION:
Read: Joy is a theme that runs through the readings today. The early Christians lived a life of sharing and received joy as their inheritance. Peter attests to the possibility of irreducible joy even in the midst of trials, thanks to the workings of faith. Jesus’ wounds of mercy bring joy into the hearts of the disciples.
Reflect: What brings joy into our hearts is the discovery of God’s merciful love that redeems us in spite of our unworthiness–the Divine Mercy that will not be taken away, as attested by the healed wounds that are etched in the body of the Risen Christ who shows them as his identity. Such mercy reaches out to the fearful and the doubting ones as well.
Pray: Pray for a merciful heart.
Act: Do an act of Mercy.