Second Sunday of Easter. Year B. Divine Mercy Sunday - Sunday, April 11, 2021
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Readings for Second Sunday of Easter. Year B. Divine Mercy Sunday
FIRST READING: Acts 4: 32-35
Ps 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24. "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting."
SECOND READING: 1 John 5: 1-6
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 20: 29). Alleluia, alleluia! You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me; happy those who have not seen me, but still believe.
GOSPEL: John 20: 19-31
Image Credit: Shutterstock licensed image ID: 1061248622 - PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 04: Intricately carved and painted frieze inside Notre Dame Cathedral depicting Appearance to Thomas, UNESCO World Heritage Site in Paris, France on January 04, 2018. By Zvonimir Atleti.
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for the Second Sunday of Easter. Year B. Divine Mercy Sunday - Sunday, April 11, 2021, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/easter-2b-2021-sunday-of-divine-mercy/s-CUeGh4qRw97
(EPISODE: 293)
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* (Prologue: Fr Paul Kelly)
This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday, where we recall the absolute mercy and love that Jesus has for all humanity.
Today we know that Our Lord is certainly worth trusting in, and all His promises are true. We can thank Thomas for Jesus confirming that for all future generations…. including us here and now….
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(Homily: Fr Peter Dillon).
History is full of nicknames: Charles the Bald, Bloody Mary Tudor. My favourite is the one given to a rather inept C10 English monarch. He was not prepared to ascend to the throne; he was not prepared to ward off the invading Danes; he was not prepared for the treachery of his own nobles whom he trusted; he was not prepared for the challenge from Canute the Usurper. He is remembered as 'Ethelred the Unready'
Today we come to Thomas the Doubter:
'A man slow to believe, showing readiness to doubt, seeking the dark side of any question, subject to despondency'
But can Thomas be given the benefit of the doubt?
We have just three instances in all of the scripture where we meet and form an opinion of Thomas. He is a doubter in the opening half of the third incident. This gives him a record of only 16-2/3%. What are the other instances which reveal something about his nature which we have chosen not to make up a nickname?
Courage
Jesus had been at the temple in Jerusalem teaching. when he said things like 'The Father and I are One', the Pharisees got very angry. They heckled him, tried to stone him, attempted to arrest him, but he and the disciples escaped northwards across the Jordan. Then they get news of Lazarus's illness. Jesus says: 'Let us go back to Judea!' Into the lion's mouth. The disciples reminded him: 'They want to stone you there'. To strengthen their faith, Jesus wants to return and raise Lazarus from the dead.
The record declares that only one disciple responds to Jesus. Thomas. He will go to Bethany with Jesus. He says to the other disciples 'Let's go and die with him' (Jn11.16)
He is not doubting here. He is demonstrating total commitment. He goes one step further and addresses the weak faith and lack of courage of the other disciples.
But to die with him? Is Thomas a pessimist - or is he a realist. The likelihood of arrest and death is very real. Or is he a great theologian. Has he understood that Jesus must die so as to rise?
We know that the disciples return with Jesus, Lazarus is restored to life and with that miracle comes the great teaching of Jesus: 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who dies believing in me shall live again; and anyone who lives our his or her faith in me shall never die'
Second Incident
Again Thomas is the prompt to produce one of the great teachings of Jesus. Jesus had warned his disciples that one of them would betray him, and then said, 'I give you a new commandment - love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you can do this, everyone will recognise that you are indeed my disciple' (Jn13:34) He also speaks of going to prepare a place for his friends and that he will return to take them with him. Already you know where I am going, and how to get there.
Thomas: But Lord we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?
Jesus responds with the fullness of his teaching: 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life'. Without Thomas's question perhaps we never would have been given the teaching which is at the very heart of our Christology.
Doubting Incident
In the gospel passage today, Thomas moves from normal doubt to a reaffirmation of his already deep faith.
The stock responses to the manifestations of the risen Jesus are incredulity and unbelief. The disciples simply cannot believe it. They are also fearful for their lives. The doors were shut for fear of the Jews when Jesus appears in their midst and says 'Peace be with you' and gives them the gift of his Spirit.
Thomas was not with them? Where was he? We know already that he is not a coward. Had he already begun the mission of spreading the good news despite the risks? Had he abandoned the whole idea as useless? However, he comes back to join the others. He is right to doubt the testimony of the unbelieving, scared disciples, so he lays down his terms. Perhaps he is negotiating with God. I'm out here doing the tough work, you better make doubly sure that I have all the proof I need.
He comes to very deep and rational faith: 'My Lord and My God'
Doubt is a good thing, a necessary thing. Jesus does not rebuke Thomas for rejecting for a time what was an illogical belief in Christ's resurrection. Honest doubt is a far better thing in the church than pious gullibility. Our credibility has suffered enough from those claiming every unexplained phenomenon as a miracle or an apparition. Honest doubt is the most effect instrument with which to meet the challenge of mindless superstition and so keep our faith pure and undefiled. Thomas is a modern man. He has a scientific mind. He uses the brain God has given him. He also comes finally to deep faith. Hope for our questioning youth.
Thomas went on, according to tradition, to preach throughout Persia and into present day India. The Church of Mar Thoma in Malabar and Kerala claims Thomas as their founder.
The doubting incident of Thomas closes with the most encouraging words for us. Jesus says: 'Thomas you have believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe'
Can we really hear the power of those words: Blessed are we because we have not seen and yet we believe. We go on wondering and doubting. And yet we believe that he is risen.
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References:
Homily – fr peter Dillon
Prologue - Fr Paul W. Kelly
Image Credit: Shutterstock licensed image ID: 1061248622 - PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 04: Intricately carved and painted frieze inside Notre Dame Cathedral depicting Appearance to Thomas, UNESCO World Heritage Site in Paris, France on January 04, 2018. By Zvonimir Atleti.
Second Sunday of Easter. Year B. Divine Mercy Sunday (Sunday, April 11, 2021) (EPISODE: 293 )
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{peace and compassion to you }} welcome everyone, we gather - Reflection upon God's word, and encounter Christ's presence.
My friends in Christ, to worthily celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us first acknowledge our sins.
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy// //Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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Ps 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24. "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,his love is everlasting."
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 20: 29). Alleluia, alleluia! You believe in me, Thomas because you have seen me; happy those who have not seen me, but still believe.
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PREFACE: Easter I
EP II
(theme variation: 4 )
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{Many thanks for participating in this time of praise, worship and reflection upon our God's infinite love.}
Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to our weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
- "Today I Arise" (Easter Theme) - - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
[ Production - KER - 2021]
May God bless and keep you.
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