Gospel for April 11 2021 – John 20:19-31
Gospel Reflections for April 11 2021
Resurrection transforms everything
In today’s Gospel, Thomas doubts that Jesus rose from the dead. After all, it’s hard to believe anyone could do that.
But resurrection is actually not his only doubt. Thomas also 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. His love is bigger than any hurt He would receive from any person who crucified Him. That love is what we need to have today. Love transforms all suffering.
I often notice that people have pictures of their family or loved one at their place of work. Those pictures remind them just why they endure all the stress and challenges they might have at work! Love can powerfully transform the pain you 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 memories or results of those wounds still remain. 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 with love can transform a person into peace is enough for Thomas to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. His Resurrection can mercifully transform your wounds today as well.
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, and knew of the millions killed in Communist China; three giant examples of the cruelest governments ever in human history, so he knew the world needed this message of mercy. After a long life fighting both Nazism and Communist Russia 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 that same mercy to all who come to confession with that promise of amendment …a promise of a transformed life.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Fr. Dave,
Yes , a transformed life from Gods Love!!
What a beautiful way to put it.
“ With Gods love you become bigger than your wounds”. I love Divine Mercy Sunday explained that way., or perhaps we are transformed even more every time we accept that divine mercy from God through reconciliation.
God Bless,
Jane
Yes, the message of Divine Mercy is so much needed today, now more than ever!
Beautiful words Father Dave!!! The gift of our loving God’s love for us ,mercy , love, forgiveness lived so beautifully in our precious Jesus!!! To be like Jesus !! To be love in the world!! To be mercy and forgiveness in the world!! To transform our life to love and forgive!!! Beautiful faith, beautiful Life!!! We must transform ourselves with our Jesus’ love and transform the world!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it and loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you Father Dave for you are beautifully living our Jesus’ LOVE!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
Dear Father Dave,
Thank you for this important and beautiful reflection.
The momentous transformation of the resurrected Jesus … a Jesus of pure love with His wounds visible but painless spills into the soul, overflowing like a powerful waterfall.
God bless you.
Kathleen
This image of the resurrected Jesus still with His wounds is our source of healing for sure!
When we look at the Crucifix,
we see the greatest offering of Divine Mercy,
when Jesus said,
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”
Yes, the most powerful words ever spoken!