NKCC

Second Sunday of Easter / Divine Mercy Sunday

Reading I – Acts 5:12-16

Reading II – Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19

Gospel – John 20:19-31

Called to Be Witnesses -  Thomas probably would be a good man to have in your corner in a modern-day courtroom.  Even though he was willing to follow Jesus to death (John 11:16), he’s not going to go out into the world now and attempt to give witness to the Risen Christ when all he has at his disposal is hearsay evidence from the other apostles.  No, he wants immediate evidence, a hands-on experience of Christ risen and present.  The Risen Christ ultimately provides Thomas with the experience and evidence he needs.

Many of us, when we struggle with our faith or our belief, can identify with Thomas.  But even when our faith is in relatively solid shape, we encounter people who are a bit like Thomas, who won’t believe unless they are given credible experience of the Risen Christ.  We, then, are called to be witnesses.  Like Christ, we cannot be ashamed to show the woundedness of the Body of Christ, the Church.  We must even allow others to probe and examine the wounds.  But we must also greet them with “Peace” and know that, in the glorious everlasting life of Christ risen from the dead, our wounds are not our final destiny.  Our final joy is life transformed for eternity.  Copyright, J.S. Paluch Co.