April 27, 2025
2nd Sunday of Easter
Believe It or Not
In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus say three times, “Peace be with you.” This was a common greeting, but the disciples were hiding in fear so they needed reassurance. Jesus gives them that reassurance in three ways: his resurrection, forgiveness of sins, and a blessing for future disciples.
The disciples had seen Jesus crucified and were afraid any of his followers would be treated the same way. So when Jesus appeared to them, he showed them his wounds and let them touch him. He wanted to show them that he was not a ghost; he had risen from death and death has no more power over him. They can now take courage because they will share in the Resurrection themselves. Breathing on them, he bestows the Holy Spirit, source of our courage.
That leads to the second reassurance, forgiveness of sins. Jesus died to take away our sins; now he shares that with his disciples. Anyone troubled by guilt can be forgiven. The disciples themselves probably felt that need, since they had deserted Jesus and one even denied knowing him. He now sends his apostles with the mission to free others from sin. We too can forgive others (and ourselves) knowing that God has forgiven them and us.
Finally, the story of Thomas and his doubts about Jesus’ resurrection gives us some hope. Jesus blesses those who “have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29). We usually think the apostles were “more” blessed for having seen and heard Jesus. But Jesus reverses that expectation; we are blessed, even two thousand years after the Resurrection. By Tom Schmidt
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Acts 4:23-31; Ps 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9; Jn 3:1-8
Tuesday: Acts 4:32-37; Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5; Jn 3:7b-15
Wednesday: Acts 5:17-26; Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Jn 3:16-21
Thursday: Acts 5:27-33; Ps 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20; Jn 3:31-36
Friday: Acts 5:34-42; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Jn 6:1-15
Saturday: 1 Cor 15:1-8; Ps 19:2-3, 4-5; Jn 14:6-14