From an unbeliever to an exemplar of faith

Second Sunday in Easter

Divine Mercy Sunday

Acts 4:31-35; 1 Jn 5:1-6; Jn 20:19-31

Today we have what is probably one of the most powerful scenes in the Gospels, where we start seeing the effects of the resurrection of Christ. Thomas, just a few days before the passion had encouraged the other disciples to go to Jerusalem together to die with the Lord (Jn11:16). But then he was not even present when Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples. His faith was weak, and since he was not present with the disciples, neither could he experience the Risen Christ. But despite his doubt, curiosity and questions still arose in his heart. He did not stifle the questions but wanted an answer to them.

The amazing thing is that from a man of poor faith he turns into a man who makes one of the most beautiful expressions of faith: "My Lord and my God!"

Baptismal vows

In our life like Thomas we might have courageously uttered many statements of faith but then like him, and in a way like Peter too, we stumble and fall. On the Easter Vigil we reviewed our vows with such determination and zeal. "Do you reject Satan?" "Yes!" we replied. "And all his empty promises?" "Yes!" "Do you believe in God", "Do you believe in Jesus Christ who rose from the dead?" "Yes! Yes!" we replied, almost amazed at why do we ask such questions.

And yet, since then, I do not think that I am the only one who has not always rejected Satan, who gave in to his empty promises, who wondered about why there are still so many injustices in the world if Jesus has indeed risen from the dead. But Thomas's lack of faith was mostly due to his lack of communion with his disciples. Had he remained with them that night of Christ's resurrection, he would have believed. Here is where our promises become empty. It is when we wander away from the community, and which we always have a good excuse to do so.

Transformation in Thomas

But then we see the transformation that Jesus brings in Thomas. He shows him his wounds and even invites him to touch them. Jesus, who throughout his mission in Galilee healing the wounds of the sick and crippled, now appears resurrected and with a glorious body yet still with the wounds. He who spent his days in Galilee touching the wounds now invites Thomas - and us - to touch his wounds. Thomas is changed from a person whose faith was practically dead to a person who not only believes, but who helps others believe as well.

Here is where we see miracle of the resurrection happening within us. Jesus took upon him our wounds so that we may have a new life. You know what wounds I am talking about. Those wounds we would rather not show anybody and which we would rather not even look at them ourselves. The wounds of our past hurts and resentment, the wounds of doubt and of sin.

Commandment of love is not burdensome

This is what enabled the community of the first Christians to live together in communion as we have read in the first reading. That is what John refers to in the second reading when he speaks about the commandment of love: to love God and to love our brother and sisters, whoever they may be. It may be hard to do so, it is true. But John says, "His commandments are not burdensome." It reminds me of a picture that I have seen and which I am sure that you are all familiar with, of a boy carrying a younger boy on his back on a long, when someone tells him, "You are going to break your back like that!" The boy answers, "He ain't heavy, he's my brother!"

On this Sunday also known as Sunday of Divine Mercy, let us soak ourselves in God's mercy. We can see this mercy in a concrete way in Jesus's wounds, which gather all our wounds in his resurrected body and through which he has given us a new life.

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed!