We choose to believe – and to act on our faith in Christ
Reflections on the readings for the the Second Sunday of Easter (April 8, 2018): ACTS 4:32-35, PS 118:2-4,13-15,22-24, 1 JN 5:1-6, JN 20:19-31
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
With the intensity of Lent, especially Holy Week, and the celebration of Easter behind us, we can now take the opportunity to spend some quiet time contemplating the profound meaning of Jesus’ death and Resurrection in our life.
We know that the Son of God came to save all people of every nation and generation from the ravages of sin and the bleak finality of death. Yet we need to think about our own faith in Christ and how it affects who and what we are.
Today’s Gospel ends with the encounter between Jesus and Thomas who had doubted his fellow Apostles account of seeing the Risen Christ. After the now shaken and believing Thomas proclaims his faith, Jesus asks a question. “‘Have you come to believe because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.’… Now Jesus did many other signs… But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in His name” (John 20:29-31). Our Lord is talking about us. Whether we were born into the Catholic Church of our parents or converted later in life, at Baptism we vow that we believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If we are sincere, we must follow the way of Christ, the way of compassion and mercy. But we cannot simply want these gifts for ourselves, but to share generously with others through what we say and do. Let us ask our Savior to help us grow in faith, hope and love day by day.
Suggested missionary action: We can ask Christ to help us love our neighbors and to share His Divine Mercy with them. We can always choose to open our hearts and proclaim, “Jesus, I trust in You.”