First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 5:12-16
Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s portico. None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them. Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them. Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.
Second Reading
Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the island called Patmos because I proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony to Jesus. I was caught up in spirit on the Lord’s day and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, which said, “Write on a scroll what you see.” Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest. When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the netherworld. Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.”
Gospel Cycle Cycle C
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.
The early Christians, according to the Acts of the Apostles, were so filled with the Holy Spirit that miracles and wonders were happening wherever they were. Even those who were not followers of Christ could see these miracles and wonders and commented on them.
Probably the closest experiences today to this early Christian experience is that of some of the holy places associated with apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Miracles and wonders continue to happen. But not everyone is going to become a Christian just because of miracles and wonders. Over the centuries, there are accounts of miracles and wonders happening in all the great religions and even in religious believes that are not so great!
Instead, now, after the Resurrection, we are still confronted with this one question: what do you believe about Jesus the Christ?
The Gospel today shows us Thomas, who simply would not believe that Jesus rose from the dead and was now present in a new way in the midst of His followers. Finally, Jesus Himself appears to Thomas and makes him put his hands on and into his wounds. Then Thomas believes.
We are invited to reflect today on our own belief. Why do we believe? If we have doubts about our belief, what will help us dispel those doubts? What can help us deepen our faith in Jesus as our Savior, as God, and as present with us now?
Our tradition tells us that to understand and believe in Christ, we must read the Scriptures and meditate on them. We must also come to know other believers and trust in their experiences. Christianity is a religion that preaches Jesus crucified and risen, but always in the context of the community of those who believe in Him.
Today let us ask Saint Thomas to intercede for us that we can believe more deeply in the great mystery of salvation. Let us be patient with our doubts and keep looking for the truth of Christ’s presence. Most of all, let us rejoice in the Lord who loves us and invites us deeper into these mysteries.