Saturday, April 22, 2017

Reflection for April 23, Second Sunday of Easter/Sunday of Divine Mercy; John 20:19-31

Gospel: John 20:19-31
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

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.
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Reflection:
Do you sometimes feel alone, abandoned and without peace of mind?

After the death of Jesus the apostles had this feeling of being orphaned and without a leader. Add to this was the feeling of fear that was constantly being fed to their minds by the Jews.

While in a room meeting and in the midst of their loneliness and fear Jesus appeared to them and told them, “Peace be with you” perhaps to assure His apostles of His abiding presence.

The peace that Jesus gives is something that is elusive to many of us for the reason that the  peace that Jesus gives is not a byproduct of accumulation of money and power.

We may all have the wealth and power in this world but if we don’t have Jesus we would still be without peace of mind. We would still be yearning for something far greater than wealth and that is to have peace within ourselves.

Jesus in the gospel greeted His followers: “Peace be with you” not once, not twice but three times. As if to say, amidst your dificulties continue to believe that I have risen, continue to have faith in me, and continue to be faithful to me because I’m the only one who can give you peace.

Your wealth will not give you peace for it may even give you endless depression and pressure. Your power whatever it is will not give you peace as well. Your friends may give you fleeting happiness but not peace of mind.

Who then can give you this feeling of true peace that this world cannot give you? It’s no other than Jesus! He alone can give you this elusive peace and serenity. Amidst the many difficulties in your life Jesus is always there to give you peace. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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