Welcoming the Holy
Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.
By: Sister Karen Dietz
Opening Prayer
Loving God, on this second Sunday of Easter, as we mourn the passing of Pope Francis, a leader who lived by the call to peace and mercy, may we be filled with these same gifts. Amen.
Scripture
John 20: 19 – 31
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So, the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
Reflection
“Peace be with you.”
This is the greeting offered by Jesus with each resurrection appearance. In today’s Gospel he repeats this greeting three times. Like many of us when we have experienced the death of a loved one or some other devastating news, the disciples find themselves a little lost, afraid, and sad. They are gathered in the upper room, most likely sharing stories and helping one another to come to grips with the terrible things that happened to their beloved teacher and friend. Also, they are afraid for their own safety, given the persecution Jesus suffered. They are longing to know the healing compassion of a loving God.
Knowing this, the greeting of “peace” makes so much sense. The third greeting of peace is meant for Thomas, who was not present earlier and is having some doubts. Just seeing and hearing Jesus is enough for Thomas as he humbly acknowledges Jesus as the Christ.
Today is known as Divine Mercy Sunday. It is a celebration of the compassion of God, particularly the compassion shown to the world in the gift of Jesus, Jesus’ life, suffering, death, and resurrection. Pope Francis never hesitated to offer mercy and compassion without judgement. As we continue celebrating the Easter season, let us pray for ourselves, for one another, and for our world, that we may feel the peace of Christ deep in our hearts and know the compassion that can only come from that peace.
Closing Prayer
Peace, I leave with you my friends, I give to you so you can give to others too. Amen. (Ray Repp)