Second Sunday of Easter, April 19, 2020

Today the mercy of God is a backdrop to all that we read and hear in Sacred Scripture. Let us take a look at the gospel where John speaks about the fear of the disciples, the power of the Holy Spirit, the mission of forgiveness and our struggle to believe. 
 
The gospel tells us that the disciples are in lock down – they are afraid of the authorities and the people – they are afraid that what happened to Jesus will happen to them. No doubt they are also angry at those who killed their teacher and friend.
 
Into a house with doors and windows locked, into the midst of their fear steps Jesus. He greets them with Peace. He shows them his wounds – it really is Jesus – and they recognize him and they rejoice. John tells us that once again Jesus greets them with peace. He reminds them that in the same way as the Father sent him, he is sending them!
 
He then does something remarkable! He breathes on them says John, he gives them the Holy Spirit so that they are not alone and then he gives them a mission – they are sent out to forgive – to release people from their sins! The Spirit heals them and invites them to share in Christ’s mission!
 
There is a twist in the story. Thomas was not there and he does not believe – he does not believe in the resurrection, the gift of the Spirit or the mission of forgiveness. Thomas is stuck! Have you ever been stuck?
 
Jesus appears again. He offers them peace! Jesus invites Thomas, to touch his wounds. John does not tell us what Thomas does! He does tell us that Thomas reacts to Jesus by placing his faith in him! He proclaims, “My Lord and my God!”
 
Jesus affirms the faith of those who do not have the opportunity to place their hands in his wounds and yet believe. John tells us that Jesus did countless other signs but these are written down so that the reader might have faith and life in Jesus Christ!
 
Today in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the early Christians were inspired by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. They were on fire with love and kindness and simply could not do enough for one another!
 
Peter in his letter encourages those who struggle with faith to take a step, to trust in the resurrection of Jesus and to trust in the power of Jesus to give life!
 
I suspect that most Christians/Catholics who are at prayer today in the confines of their homes are struggling with faith! I suspect that our doubts and questions are not that different from the doubts and questions, the feelings and behaviors of the early disciples. 
 
In our time – the time of COVID-19, our struggle has a very sharp focus – it is natural to question God at times like these – to express our doubts and concerns, to express our anger and frustration, our struggle to make sense out of the difference between promises and reality.
 
Today, sacred scripture takes us back to the beginning! The readings remind us of who Christ is and they remind us of who we are! Christ, the Son of God comes to us – meeting us where we are at – with our doubts and fears, with our denials and anxieties, with our faith and our hope and Christ gifts us with Peace! He gifts us with the promise and the presence of the Holy Spirit. 
 
He comes to us when we are fearful, locked down and tied up with anger and resentment and he says, “Let go!” He invites us to a ministry of forgiveness. "Forgive yourself and forgive each other. If you don’t you will be stuck!"
 
What does forgiveness look like! Forgiveness is real and active in us when we care for each other – when we share good news with each other – when we turn to Jesus – when we are willing to touch the wounds of Jesus and when we make the effort to bring healing to the wounds we see and experience.
 
We are a people of faith. Christ comes to us today and reminds us that His Spirit is alive in us. Once again, he breathes on us and gifts us with his Spirit, with his peace and with his mission! It is a mission of forgiveness. Perhaps our challenge is to forgive ourselves for something we have done or failed to do! Perhaps our challenge is to forgive someone else for something they have done! Wherever we are and whatever is most important to us, is touched by the words of Jesus, “Peace be with you! Receive the Holy Spirit.”
 
Let us make room for Jesus and let us allow the Spirit to touch our wounds and the wounds of our brothers and sisters! Peace be with you! Receive the Holy Spirit!