Peace and Joy

“ Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

First Reading: Acts 5:12-16

Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Psalm: Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

Second Reading: Revelation 1:9-13, 17-19

I John, your brother, who share with you in Jesus the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Per'gamum and to Thyati'ra and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to La-odice'a."

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand upon me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Now write what you see, what is and what is to take place hereafter.

Gospel: John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing."

Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Reflection
By Benj Santiago

"and, after saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord, and he said to them again, 'Peace be with you. 'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.' " (John 20:20-21)

First Sunday after the Resurrection Sunday. I imagine the joy and peace that the disciples had when they saw Jesus alive and in their midst. Jesus showed His disciples His hands and His side to prove to them that He is truly alive and not a ghost. It was and is up till today a proof that Jesus is indeed our Lord and Savior! That He had triumphed over death!

The Easter Sunday celebration I attended in SMX MOA impressed in my heart the joy of the Resurrected Christ! My whole family was there and we had so much happiness and love from everyone who were there. There was so much peace and joy in our hearts. We felt Jesus' presence in our midst even if he has not shown His physical presence. We believe that He has risen and He does not even have to show His hands and side to prove it. We have felt His mighty presence from the songs, from the people who had gathered in the celebration, from the people who shared their lives, and from the preachers who shared their testimonies.

I really thank God for He has commissioned His disciples to spread the good news of His resurrection, and His Lordship, His Power, His Love. Jesus did not only appear to His beloved disciples but he made sure they are empowered by the Holy Spirit and commissioned them by saying to them again "Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you." (John 20:21)

We are also tasked, or better yet, all commissioned as believers of Christ to continue to proclaim in our lives to all people specially those marginalized by the society, the poor and helples, those who are sick physically or financially, those who are hopeless that our Lord Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Just like the disciples, we are not just made believers but missionaries to bring peace, joy and love to one another! In our deeds, words, and most importantly in our works or actions.
Prayer

Lord Almighty Father, we thank You for giving us Your only Son to live with us and die for our sins and conquer death on the cross. We thank You, Father for the continuing mission of the disciples handed down to our Pope, bishops, and all the clergy from generation to generation. We ask You to continue to bless all people with Peace and Joy that Your Resurrected Son gave the disciples from that very first Easter Sunday to our present time and till eternity! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen!