II Sunday-Easter/Divine Mercy:[2015]:Acts 4,32-35;Ps 18;1Jn 5,1-6;Jn20,19-31

II Sunday-Easter/Divine Mercy:[2015]:Acts 4,32-35;Ps 18;1Jn 5,1-6;Jn20,19-31

Introduction: In our Gospel text today we are told the story of the Apostle Thomas who refused to believe that Christ had risen from the dead. His fellow Apostles tried to convince him that Jesus had actually risen from the dead but Thomas replies to them that unless he can put his finger into the holes the nails have made he will not believe.

Exegesis:  Whenever you see a picture of St Thomas he is almost always represented as touching the wound in Christ’s side. But in fact the Gospel does not record this event.  Christ certainly showed him his wounds and invited him to put his finger into them but it seems that (doubting) Thomas never took up the offer. What he did instead was to make an extraordinary profession of faith with the words “My Lord and my God.

Thomas the Apostle could be regarded as the patron saint of doubters. He wants practical proof, he wants to see with his own eyes and touch with his own fingers before he can come to faith in the Risen Lord. Often enough we find ourselves thinking in the same way. We too want proof, we don’t like everything depending on the strength of our own faith when so often we experience doubts about the beliefs of the Church.  Just because something is difficult that does not mean it is bad; on the contrary it is only by doing things that are difficult that we achieve true greatness. Doubts can also occur about some other areas of doctrine. Sometimes these doubts are more like temptations such as the temptation to believe that Christ is not the Son of God; that he has no power or that belief in him is useless. These doubts can be difficult to deal with. They come into our minds at unexpected moments and try to lead us away from Christ and his Church. We should realise that such temptations come from the Evil One and their purpose is to destroy our faith, disrupt our attendance at mass and decrease our devotion to prayer. In such difficult moments it is good to call on the assistance of St Thomas asking him to help strengthen our faith.

Joke:   A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse. In the defense's closing statement the lawyer, knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick: "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all," the lawyer said as he looked at his watch. "Within one minute, the person presumed dead in this case will walk into this courtroom."

He looked toward the courtroom door. The jurors, somewhat stunned, all looked on eagerly. A minute passed. Nothing happened. Finally the lawyer said, "Actually, I made up the previous statement. But you all looked on with anticipation. I therefore put it to you that there is reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed and insist that you return a verdict of not guilty."

The jury, clearly confused, retired to deliberate. A few minutes later, the jury returned and pronounced a verdict of guilty. "But how?" inquired the lawyer. "You must have had some doubt, I saw all of you stare at the door."

The jury foreman replied: "Oh, we looked, but your client didn't."

Practical Applications: 1) Mathew 5:7 says, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” God’s mercy can be experienced only if we practice mercy in our life. Therefore show mercy towards others.  2) It is a visual circle that we pray more that strengthens our faith. Our faith again leads to pray more.

Second Sunday in Easter : Divine Mercy Sunday - Introduction

Message : Thomas believed because he saw the risen Jesus.  Although we have never seen him, we believe that Jesus is the Christ, begotten by god.  We give thanks to the Lord that he has formed us into a community of believers, united in the Spirit.

Saints and Events in this Week: 13 – Thirteenth – Monday – Saint Martin I, Pope Martyr;