Holy Spirit (SH/HT)

Acts 4:32-35 | I Jn 5:1-6 | Jn 20:19-31

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are
not written in this book.

But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.”

I. This Sunday – which is the second Sunday of Easter – has been named by St.
Pope John Paul II as Divine Mercy Sunday. But that is new in the history of this
day. In previous years – and centuries – this second Sunday of Easter has had
other names as well:

• the Octave of Easter, simply meaning the eighth day of Easter
• “Low Sunday,” probably as a way to contrast with the great solemnity of Easter
• at one time called “Quasi Modo” Sunday, taken from the first words of the
  entrance antiphon – meaning “like newborn infants.” The newly baptized at
  Easter were like newborn babes in the faith.
• and another name was “Domenica in albis” – meaning “Sunday in white.” In
  the ancient Church the newly baptized would have worn their white garments
  all week and today they would remove them and “blend in” with the rest of the
  community. This would mark a transition in their faith from “newborn babes”
  in faith to members of deeper faith.

II. Thomas is an example of a disciple who was not yet “blended in” with the rest of
the community. They had had an experience of the risen Lord and could testify:
He is Risen! But Thomas wanted more than that: he wanted proof. And that is
pretty reasonable. Just about anyone would want some proof if claims were to
be made about someone rising from dead! That’s fairly incredible!
Thomas is the first of us: he represents all those disciples who have followed
down through the centuries – those of us who were not in that upper room when
Jesus appeared to that first group of disciples. In his experience encountering
Jesus that day, Thomas was transformed. He went from doubting Jesus’
resurrection to his profound proclamation of faith: “My Lord and my God!”
Tradition tells us Thomas’ faith was so strong that he went on to become a
martyr.

III. How can faith transform us? How is life different precisely because of faith?
As you look out into the world – at family – neighbors – co-workers – even
strangers – do you perceive, or think you perceive, people of faith are somehow
different? Is you life different because of faith?

A. Non-believers, in the earliest days of the Church, looked at Christians and said
there was something different about them: “see how they love one another,”
they said.
And in the first reading we hear of how those early Christians were looking out
for one another, sharing things in common, selling their property so they could
share. They were thinking that was the end time, so they might as well be ready.
B. The power of God’s word changes us. Have you read a passage from the bible, or
listened to a scriptural passage read, and your heart was moved? Somehow that
word touched you – somehow that word had the power to make you look at life,
or an issue, differently. Based upon that insight you lived differently.
C. The experience of forgiveness transforms us. In that first encounter with the
risen Jesus, the disciples were given the power to forgive sins. That is a power
extended to us to this very day. We know the transforming power of
forgiveness: it may come from another person and we may especially know it
through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. How many times have we gone to
confession and felt a great relief?
D. And we are transformed when we can touch the wounds of Christ. Can we
reach out like Thomas to touch the wounds of Christ?
Indeed we can.

All of Jesus disciples comprise his body in the world: each of us, and all of us
together, are the body of Christ. Whenever we reach out to lift up the
downtrodden, to aid and assist those who are somehow struggling or in need,
we are touching the wounds of Christ. People who do this know how powerful
it is to serve the needs of others. They are never again the same.

IV. The lived witness of Christians’ lives – the power of the word – the experience of
forgiveness – the humble service of those in need – are all ways in which we are,
and can be, transformed. In these ways we come to have life in Jesus’ name.

(Fr. Dwayne Thoman)