ACTS 2:42-47; PS 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 PT 1:3-9; JN 20:19-31
The Christian steward approaches life with an “Easter vision,” rooted in gratitude for and confidence in the salvation our Lord has won for us through His death and Resurrection. Today’s readings on this Divine Mercy Sunday show how that vision is lived out in daily life and remind us that we can place complete trust in the mercy of God to lead us, step by step, toward heaven.
Our first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, describes this beautiful way of life as practiced by the first Christians: “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.” And, “They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.” This is a snapshot of the first community of Christian stewards living daily stewardship — embracing prayer through the breaking of the bread, formation through the teaching of the apostles, hospitality through communal life and joyful fellowship, and service through their care for one another. What an inspiration for us as modern-day stewards.
The Easter season is not a time to relax in the practice of our faith now that Lent is behind us. Rather, it is a time to live our faith with even deeper joy and gratitude as we celebrate our Lord’s victory over sin and death. St. Peter captures this Easter outlook beautifully in our second reading: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is … kept in heaven for you.” This should shape the way we live each day. At the same time, St. Peter acknowledges that the Christian life is not without hardship: “In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials.”
Certainly, it can be difficult to keep our eyes fixed on heaven when earthly concerns — job stress, family struggles, health worries, political division — loom so large. At times, we can find ourselves becoming cynical like the Apostle Thomas in today’s Gospel, before his encounter with the merciful Savior. Not present when Jesus first appeared to the other Apostles after the Resurrection, Thomas refused to believe their witness that they had “seen the Lord.”
He insisted he would not believe unless he placed his finger into the nail marks and his hand into Christ’s side. Yet his doubts did not repel our Lord — they drew Him near in an extraordinary way. Beneath Thomas’ stubborn words, Jesus saw pain, disappointment and fear. Our Lord, who is mercy itself, did not condemn him. Instead, He calmed his doubts, invited him closer, and allowed him to touch those Sacred Wounds.
What amazing grace.
When we are tempted to doubt, for whatever reason, we need only seek the Lord — in prayer, in the sacraments, and through the encouragement of our Christian community. Just as He did for Thomas, our Lord will mercifully restore our Easter vision and fill us with His joy and peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment