Invisible

Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday

19 April 2020

First reading                                                                        Acts 2:42-47
[The community of believers] devoted themselves to the apostles” teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Second reading                                                        1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith-being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Gospel                                                                     John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then 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.” 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 them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, 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 the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, 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. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 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 have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Reflection

By Grace B. Madriñan

“Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” – John 20:29

We are still in extended community quarantine as I am writing this reflection.  I have no qualms of staying at home.  It is basically business as usual for me since our company allowed working from home.  Not much has changed, until I got sick with amoebiasis and acid reflux.  The sharp pain and round the clock medications kept me up all night while I cried for God’s mercy and compassion.  As I am on my way to recovery, I reflected on what the illness is teaching me. 

It taught me to be more compassionate and grateful.  I am only suffering stomachache; how much more painful can it be for COVID patients?  I am being treated at the comforts of my home, while those patients are generally alone.  There is still a lot of things to be grateful for. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus appeared to the apostles several times after His resurrection. But on the earlier appearances, Thomas was not there.  He refused to believe until he sees Jesus in the flesh. So, when Jesus finally met him, He made sure to show Thomas His hands and wounds on the side. That is only when Thomas believed. 

I think I am like Thomas in a way.  I knew what is happening outside, I knew the dangers, the suffering. But it only became more real when I suffered myself.  I remember the scare of having to go to Emergency Room for laboratory tests, the anxiety of waiting for the results. It took an invisible bacteria to make me believe I am at God’s mercy. 

On my path to recovery, I am more conscious of God’s providence from the moment I wake up until I rest in the evening.  As they say, tomorrow is never promised.  Every day is grace. 

Prayer

Father God, we believe. Help our unbelief. Be with us, Father as we continue to thrive in this fallen world. In Jesus' Name.  Amen.