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Homily: Second Sunday of Easter Year C
Reading
1: Signs and wonders occurred at the hands of the Apostles after Pentecost. The
sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits were cured. What was the focus of
this happening? Jesus was proclaimed as Lord and Messiah by those who were
witnesses of the Risen Lord and his teachings. As a result, others believed and
were added to their numbers.
Faith
in Jesus. The Apostles did what Jesus told them to do. They received the anointed
power of the Holy Spirit and they were led by the Spirit, as Jesus was, to pray
for those who were sick and those influenced by evil spirits.
Faith
in Jesus Christ entails committing one’s life to Jesus Christ as Lord and
Messiah and openness to the grace of the Holy Spirit. This opens one up to the
manifestations of God’s power. That is the plan of God. Should that not be
happening now?
Reading
2: Why was John persecuted? Because he proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony
to Jesus. As a result he was exiled to the island of Patmos. Even there he
experienced a gift of the Spirit—divine visions.
In
this vision Jesus reassured him and said “Do not be afraid” to proclaim God’s
word and continue to give testimony about him who is the first and the last,
the one who died and is alive.
Is
it fear that prevents us from proclaiming God’s word by our life and actions?
Are we afraid of what others may say or think of us? Where should our focus be?
On Jesus or on others? He has the keys
of death. Others don’t.
Gospel:
Again, the focus is on the plan of the Father, the person of Jesus and the gift
of the Spirit. The Apostles were in fear of being arrested and may be put to
death like Jesus. Jesus met them where they were. He addresses their fear by
simply saying: “Peace.” That is Jesus’ word to us today. No matter our concerns,
worries, fears or problems: “Peace”.
Then
he reminded them of the Father’s plan for him and for them. “As the Father has
sent me, so I send you.” The Father sent Jesus out of love for us to bring us
Good News that would set us free, forgive us our sins and bring us once more
into God’s life. The Apostles, and we, have the same commission.
Jesus
was anointed by the Holy Spirit in his humanity, so that led by and in the
power of the Holy Spirit the words of truth proclaimed would be confirmed with
signs and wonders. So Jesus breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy
Spirit.”
But
for all this to happen there was an essential piece needed. Thomas would give
the example. Not only are we called to be disciples, followers of Jesus—but we
must have a deep personal relationship with Jesus. Our faith/commitment must be
based on the full reality of who Jesus is. Many knew and followed Jesus the man
who was crucified and buried. Thomas had not made the leap of faith to accept, acknowledge
and commit himself to Jesus as Lord and God. Like others his faith was based on
a memory not on the reality of the person of the Son of God. His faith was
built on his need to determine what will bring him to accept what the others
had seen and experienced, the risen Lord. But once he witnessed Jesus, risen,
he proclaimed: “My Lord and my God.”
Acknowledging
Jesus and “My Lord and my God”, we are called to proclaim God’s word, to give
testimony to Jesus, to be led by the Spirit and to be open to the gifts of the
Spirit so that others may believe in Jesus as Lord and Messiah.
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