DAILY- HOMILY

03 April 2016

2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER – Divine Mercy Sunday

Cycle C. White. 

Acts 5:12 –16 / Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, and 17-19 / Jn 20: 19-31. 

From the 1st Reading: Acts 5:14 – 16 

So an ever-increasing number of men and women believed in the Lord.  The people carried the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and on mats, so that when Peter passed by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them.  The people gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those who were troubled by unclean spirits and all of them were healed.

From the Gospel Reading: 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 in their midst.  He said to them, "Peace be with you"; then he showed them his hands and his side. His disciples kept looking at the Lord and 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; for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for 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 his hands the print of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, the disciples were inside again and Thomas was with them, Despite the locked doors 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 in my side.  Resist no longer and be a believer."

Thomas then 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 believe."

Reflection

Pope St. John Paul II established the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday, to remind us of God's endless mercy, especially as revealed to St. Mary Faustina Kowalska (1905 – 1938):  "Christ Jesus, we trust in you."

In the reading from the Acts we see the growth of the Church encouraged by the wonderful healing miracles through St. Peter.

At the apparition of Jesus to the apostles after his resurrection he begins by wishing them 'Peace': "Peace be with you." Though his apostles, except for the beloved apostle John had fled and abandoned him during his passion and crucifixion and though Peter their leader had betrayed him three times before common folk, Jesus re-affirms his love and friendship with them: "Peace be with you."  

He continues by sharing the gift of the Holy Spirit and the power of the keys with them: "Receive the Holy Spirit; for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained."

We join the apostles in the upper room and pray to be touched by the Holy Spirit who heals the wounds of the heart and restores us to the joy of the Father's love and friendship.

This assurance of God's mercy we especially celebrate today. The message of God's endless mercy tells us how much God values each individual: how each individual is precious in God's eyes, how the Lord Jesus suffered and gave his life in love for each and every individual.

We thank God for the gift of the Sacrament of Penance, which concretizes in the Church today the loving and patient father of the prodigal son, our powerful and ever forgiving and merciful Father.    

The second part of the reading recounts the profession of the doubting Apostle Thomas "You are my Lord and my God," and Jesus' assurance to future believers, "You believe because you see me, don't you?  Happy are those who have not seen and believe." (Jn 20: 28 – 29)   We pray for faith to believe though we have not seen.                

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Benigno De Quiroz

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     Lorenzo Y. Co (Feb 6, 1916 – Apr 3, 1996)

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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