Jesus' Show and Tell

~~~ Divine Mercy ~~~

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 5:12-16 ~~~ Psalm 118 ~~~

~~~ REV 1:9-11A, 12-13, 17-19 ~~~ John 20:19-31 ~~~

 “Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

The disciples locked themselves in a secluded room.

because they were afraid of the Jews.

Jesus knew that if they camped out in that room

they would be controlled by their fears.

He could not allow that to happen.

So Jesus finds them and brings them his peace.

Jesus appears in this locked room where 

the disciples thought they were safe.

He wastes no time in calming their fears with his peace.

...he breathed on them and said to them,

"Receive the Holy Spirit..."

They are confirmed in this blessing from Jesus.

It is the Holy Spirit that will give them the 

courage needed to leave that room.

But Jesus still had one issue to deal with;

Thomas. 

Thomas wanted to believe the others 

as they shared their sightings of Jesus,

but could not.

Thomas, for whatever reason, was not locked

 in the room with the others.

We do not know where he was at the time.

We do not know if he too was afraid of the Jews.

Maybe he was the only one who had 

the courage to be among the locals.

Maybe he returned to his former life 

thinking it was business as usual.

Maybe he believed Jesus was really gone.

Maybe he thought the others created a vision of Jesus,

because they missed him so much.

Just maybe it was all in their head.

It is not unusual, after losing a loved one,

 that you notice other people that seem to be 'look a likes'. 

“Have you come to believe because 

you have seen me?

Blessed are those who 

have not seen and have believed.”

A week later Jesus comes again to this locked room;

this time Thomas was with the others.

Does Jesus come back only for Thomas?

Does Jesus come back because they all need another

inoculation of the Holy Spirit?

Perhaps it is a combination of both reasons.

Yes Thomas did want to see and feel.

But the others needed to witness

 just how much Jesus cared for Thomas too.

These things are recorded for our sake.

We are the ones who missed the Jesus 'show and tell'.

We are the ones who now must believe without seeing.

We are the ones who now reflect 

on what happened in the looked room.

...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.

This is recorded for you and me.

Today we can choose to hear this 

Gospel as just another story

or as proof that through

 believing in the Resurrection

 we too may have life in his name.

...do not be unbelieving, but believe...

Words spoken today for us.

If you believe then you will tell others.

Divine Mercy Sunday

is the wonderful time to deepen your beliefs.

Once again Jesus showed himself 

through one of his beloved.

Peace be with you!

~Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia~

Believing without Seeing

~~~ Acts 4: 32-35 ~~~ Psalm 118 ~~~ John 20: 19-31

The community of believers came together and formed what today we might call a commune. They lived in peace and harmony sharing and helping one another. They were of one heart and mind. (Acts 4:32b)

John addresses his letter to Beloved, because all of us who believe are truly the beloved of God. If we are to claim that title as our own then it follows that we must clothe ourselves in love. God’s love, John reminds us is in keeping the commandments. If we fervently keep the commandments we will live a faith filled life. The Spirit will come to testify in your heart.

We are in the upper room the disciples have sequestered themselves either out of fear of grief. Either way they are finding comfort and safety together.

Jesus appears standing before them...blessing them with peace...a peace that could only come from him. He repeats this blessing to be sure it is heard by each one of them. I am here to free you from this closed space. I am here to commission you...to send you out. And with that the Holy Spirit pours forth with his breath. Your breath comes from inside of your lungs. It is what keeps you living, but now the breath of the resurrected

Jesus is the Holy Spirit.

God the Father sent forth the Son to become human and now the Son sends out the Spirit to fall upon them as breath. We cannot live without taking in air...a breath...We cannot live spiritually without the breath of the Spirit in our soul. Many beautiful songs have been written to this effect.

But wouldn’t you know while this wonder is taking place one person is missing, Thomas. The others tried to tell him about this visit from Jesus, but he just could not grasp what they were saying.

A week later Jesus returns just for Thomas. Jesus cared enough to make another appearance so that Thomas could come to also believe. Thomas was valuable to Jesus. Jesus wants Thomas to believe. Come here Thomas touch the wounds in my hands and side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.

Jesus will not let one of those he loves be prevented from believing. He will come again...he will try to show you one more time.

“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

My friends, this blessing is for us...we are among those who have not seen yet believe. This blessing is for those who will come to believe in the future.

All that we have been reading these last few days has been written to help us believe with more conviction.

I believe, Lord, help my unbelief!