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.