Sunday Gospel Reflection
Unless I see in his hands the prints of the nails, I will  not believe

Introduction:

God's Gift of Peace
When the last time you truly felt peaceful?
Peace is more than a lack of conflict. A lull in action between two opponents only gives them a chance to regroup, to recharge for the next round. A void of violence does not lead to happiness.

True peace, on the other hand, gives us happiness, since it is build on trust. The gospel tells us how Jesus gave his followers peace because they trusted him. In spite of scepticism, he offers us the same peace.

First Reading
Acts 4:32-35

32 Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common.
33 And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold
35 and laid it at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need.

Second Reading
1 John 5:1-6

1 Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God, and every one who loves the parent loves the child.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.
5 Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood.

Gospel Reading
John 20:19-31

19 Being evening in that first day of the week, and the doors having been locked where the disciples were because of fear of the (Jewish leaders.), Jesus came and stood in the middle (of them) and said "Peace to you."
20 Having said this, he showed (his) hands and side to them. The disciples rejoiced, having seen the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you." 22 Having said this, he blew on and said to them, "Take (in) the Holy Spirit.
23 If you sent away the sins of anyone, they have been sent off for them. If you hold (their sins) back, they have been held back."
24 But Thomas, one of the Twelve, the one called "Twin," was not there when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and thrust my finger into the mark of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe (you)."
26 After eight days, again the disciples were inside, and Thomas (was) with them. Jesus came (although) the doors had been locked, he stood in the middle (of them) and said, "Peace to you."
27 Then he said to Thomas, "Take your finger here and inspect my hands; take your hand and thrust (it) into my side. Do not become unbelieving but believing."
28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and My God!"
29 Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Happy (are) those not having seen and having believed."
30 Indeed, Jesus also did many other signs before his disciples which are not written down in this small book.
31 These have been written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you might have life in his name.

Bible Study/Meditation

It was a confusing time. The Romans had killed Jesus, and the frightened apostles were huddled in a small room, wondering if they were next. Sure, Mary Magdalene claimed to have seen Jesus alive, but how could they trust such a wild report? Then, in the midst of their fear and confusion, Jesus appeared to them and said, "Peace be with you." The astounded disciples  believed.

Too bad that Thomas wasn't with them. All alone, with the testimony of all the other apostles contradicting his sense of logic, he too needed to see Jesus in the flesh. In a sense, we really should commend Thomas for holding out and not just going along with the crowd. That probably took some courage! But then, when this famous "doubter" came face to face with the unconditional and overwhelming love of Jesus, he too dropped his guard of skepticism and worshipped Jesus as his Lord and his God.

Thomas' demand for objective proof that Jesus was alive may seem like arrogance or unbelief to us. But there's another way of looking at this passage that gives us a model for our own lives. A young man struggling with his faith once prayed, "God, if you're real, prove it." And he did! This fellow's prayer may sound disrespectful, but it was really an expression of the deep longing in his heart. In fact, God loves it when we seek him out with such aggression. We may find it incredible, but God actually delights in answering these kinds of prayers because he sees in them open hearts begging for revelation.

Thomas had the good fortune to be alive when Jesus walked the earth. But we really aren't disadvantaged in any way. All of us can experience Jesus just as powerfully as Thomas and the other apostles did. All we have to do is commit ourselves to honest, humble prayer from the heart. As we devote ourselves to prayer and beg Jesus for revelation, he will show himself to us in ways that will convince us beyond doubt that he is alive and filled with love for us. Then we too will echo Thomas' cry of love and faith: "My Lord and my God!"

Reflections:

· Please re-read the phrase(s)/sentence(s) that move(s)/touche(s) you and what inner message of the heart is the Spirit whispering to you ?

. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
    ---- Do you agree, or disagree, with the statement, "his commandments are not burdensome"? Why ?

. The peace Christ give us heals the fear and cynicism of the world. This peace builds bridges of trust and allows us to walk together to the Father. His peace allows us to continue to believe and to hold on to his very life. Let us, then, offer each other the peace of Christ, the Shalom of his Spirit.
  ----How can you offer the peace of Christ to others in your daily life?

.  Faith in the Resurrection leads us to the conclusion Jesus is true God and true man.Through the Resurrection, we receive the gift of a new eternal life, free from evil. We become one with our Savior who died and rose for us. And, as he rose, Christ assures us that we, too, will rise on the last day.
   ----How does the cynicism of the world affect you? How does faith keep you from cynicism?

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for your death and resurrection. Come, Lord, and reveal yourself to me more deeply today. Help me to love you with all my heart