Homily for the Week of April 27, 2014

HOMILY: Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy: 2014

Acts 2:42-47 · 1 Pt 1:3-9 · Jn 20:19-31

         Every year on the Second Sunday of Easter we hear the story of Jesus appearing to the apostles "on that first day of the week." At that time Jesus gave the permission to priests to forgive all sins by way of Confession for those who ask.  Jesus also showed them that, although he had died on Good Friday, he was now alive.

         But the close friends of Jesus had locked themselves in a room. They were afraid that they too would be killed just as Jesus had been killed a few days before. It was into a locked room that Jesus appeared.

         Among them was Thomas who has been named a “Doubting Thomas.” Very often Thomas has been given a bad reputation. Thomas did not doubt Jesus. What Thomas doubted was the testimony of his friends and companions of several years. How could he believe in their experience when he himself had not shared it? We must not miss the point that Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared within the community of faith. Rather, when Thomas was within the community of faith, he shared in the experience of Christ’s presence.

         These events took place just a few days after Easter or the day that Jesus appeared after he had been killed. Try to imagine that you are one of those who had listened to Jesus and tried to follow him/  He died. Now he is back again talking to you. Perhaps your main concern would be what do I do now?  I gave up everything to follow him, and now he is gone. Jesus never left a blueprint or a user’s manual as to what do I do after he is gone. The fact that you and I are here today is part of that mystery.

         The first reading for today is from the Acts of the Apostles. It gives us a snap shot of the early Catholic Church.  There were no church buildings or churches as we know them today. Catholics would meet to pray with all the Jews in the Temple area, but after they would gather in each other's home for Mass. Soon after Jesus died St. Paul gave instructions as how we are to offer Mass. In the year 150 St. Justin described in detail the Mass as we have it now. During most of the Mass the priest and people would stand and then sit while there were readings from the Bible.  After some reflection on what Jesus expected of his followers, they would participate in the ''breaking of bread,'' and received Holy Communion.  One of the problems they had was to get forgiven if they did something wrong.

         The First Letter of Peter, part of which we read today. answers that question and tells us about God's mercy.  Catholics have a long history of minding other people's business when that business involves showing mercy.  Jesus made it very clear that our faith and religion must be translated into good works. Our Faith without good works is dead.  The Catholic Church separates our actions of mercy into corporal and spiritual works of mercy.   There are 7 corporal works of mercy among which are: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead, and 7 spiritual works of mercy. Without knowing each of you have brought mercy to others when you support our Food Shelf or food pantries, helped with Habitat for Humanity, send a message or phone call to a sick person. You practice spiritual works of mercy whenever you participate at Mass, offer words of encouragement, let go of grudges.

         Today we might compare ourselves to that of the first Christians described in our first reading. We read that these first Catholics were taught four requirements for being active members of this new religious community: that members devote themselves to studying the teachings of the apostles, which is nothing less than studying the teaching of Jesus; that members contribute to the support of the community; that members devote themselves to the breaking of bread, which means being present for the Eucharistic meal and whenever the community comes together in prayer, and finally, that members be devoted to prayer for the whole community. It was these elements being practiced by the disciples in the locked room that opened for them an experience of Christ. Thomas was missing for the first moment, but once present, he too shared in Christ’s presence, and he most likely never missed again!

         You and I have not witnessed Jesus in the flesh in the upper room, but we do experience him in the Eucharist.  To that experience of the Jesus we say with Thomas MY LORD AND MY GOD.  We are invited not to put our finger and hand into his wounds, but to take Jesus into our very hearts.  Then we can profess our faith in him more powerfully and announce the Good News of his resurrection to the world. And we also be known for our gift of mercy.