Gospel Reflections for April 8 2018
Did Jesus really rise on Easter Sunday?
In today’s Gospel, Thomas seems to doubt Jesus rose from the dead. After all, it is hard to
believe anyone could do that. But resurrection is actually not his doubt. Thomas wants to know
why, after rising from the dead, Jesus would still have the marks of His crucifixion! Would He
not return completely healed of any signs of suffering?
Despite the marks of those wounds Jesus suffers no pain anymore from them. The love He
received from God, who raised Him from the dead, is bigger than any hurt He would receive
from any person. That love is what we need to have today. Love transforms all suffering.
People often have pictures of their family or loved one at their place of work. They remind
them just why they go through all the troubles they might have at work! Love changes the pain
we feel.
If you still remember past hurts from long ago, you will know you are truly healed when your
experience of God’s love makes past memories no longer painful, even if the results of those
wounds are still around. With God’s love you become bigger than your wounds.
Jesus shows Himself to Thomas just as He does to each of us today. But notice that Thomas
does not respond, “Jesus! Welcome back!” …instead he says, “My Lord, and my God!” Seeing
that wounds no longer hurt but transform is enough for Thomas to believe that Jesus is the Son
of God. His Resurrection mercifully transforms our wounds today.
Sister Faustina was a Polish nun who received a vision of this merciful Jesus in the 1930’s. It is
pictured in the famous “Divine Mercy” painting that Pope St. John Paul II encouraged all
churches to display throughout the year, and especially on this Sunday.
He had lived through the horrors of Nazi Germany and Communist Russia, two giant examples
of the cruelest evil, so he knew the world needed this message of mercy. After a long life that
finally saw the collapse of both regimes, he died on this very feast day in 2005.
Right after His greeting of “peace” in the Gospel, Jesus authorizes His disciples to forgive sins.
Now that they have experienced mercy, He wants them to offer mercy to all who come to
confession with that promise of amendment …a promise of a transformed life.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Fr. Dave,
Another gr8 and inspiring gospel reflection, and many thanks for the bit on Pope JP II, truly a lion of our Church.
May you continue to prosper in all you do and everywhere you go!
My prayer for you as well! Thank you!
Father Dave, Precious interpretation of this beautiful Gospel!! Love the words that Jesus’ Resurrection transforms our wounds today!!!Love our precious Jesus’ Divine Mercy!!! and that our beautiful Pope John Paul 11 became one with Jesus’ Divine Mercy and wanted His beautiful picture loved and displayed in all churches especiaslly this Sunday!! How beautiful that our Pope John Paul entered the embrace of our Jesus on Divine Mercy Sunday!! Loveee it!! Loveeee our precious Jesus, our precious Faith and love you for being a beautiful priest and sharing Jesus’ LOVE!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Blessed Mercy Sunday!
Hi Fr. Dave:
As always a wonderful insight into the gospel. I hope all is well.
Happy Easter,
Argyle
Yes, all is well. Happy Easter Season!
Fr. Dave
I am so grateful for this Divine Mercy Sunday. Thank you for explaining Thomas’s reaction to Jesus. “My Lord and my God “
Jesus wants to heal our wounds with his love and mercy and I am grateful.
Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday!
What an interesting perspective on Thomas. You dispel the myth of “Doubting Thomas.”
This is a gospel rich with many insights. I look forward to discovering more!
Dear Father Dave,
Thank you once again for your inspiring and beautiful message on this Sunday’s Gospel.
As for old wounds … just an observation … if they’re recalled because a person is angry, the hurt may readily surface again. If the memory happens when a person is at peace, the “old” wound doesn’t hurt, and the message of love and peace is reinforced, particularly in mercy and forgiveness.
I believe there are no accidents in Divine Intervention. It’s heartwarming to learn that Pope John Paul II died on Mercy Sunday.
Father Dave, God bless you now and always….
Kathleen
Only the love of Our Father in Heaven is strong enough to both raise Jesus from the dead, but also transform our old wounds as well. Like Our Lord, we must place them in His hands. Yes, it was so appropriate that JPII passed on this feast.
I wondered whether I would have believed without seeing. Of course another question is, Would the others have believed without the wounds when he appeared b4 the others.
I loved your reflection of the wounds we carry and we need to allow the Lord to heal.
Thanks much for the reminder.
Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday!