April 23 - 2nd Sunday in Easter : The Doubting Thomas

 

First Reading   Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47

The first community of Christians grows as its members meet to pray and break bread.

 

Responsorial Psalm   Psalm 118:2-4,13-15,22-24

God’s love is everlasting.

 

Second Reading   1 Peter 1:3-9

We have new hope because of Jesus’ Resurrection.

 

Gospel Reading John 20:19-31

 

When Jesus appeared on Sunday Thomas was not with the twelve. Some suggests that he was seeking Jesus alone while Jesus was with the assembly of his followers. That could be the Evangelist's way of telling the reader that encounter with the Risen Lord is something that happens not so much in the privacy of the individuals religious initiative and practise as much as in the fellowship with the community of believers, that is the Church. Do we have to look far to see such Thomases in our society today, men and women who deep down in their hearts seek the risen Lord, but who seek him outside the worshipping and believing community? They try to draw near to God by engaging in all sorts of self-imposed devotional exercises. Religion, they say, is personal, and they are right. But religion is also communitarian, and this they need to learn just as Thomas did.