Second Sunday of Easter :C: DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: April 28,2019

                    "CLEARING DOUBTS"

First Reading: Acts 5: 12-16
Second Reading: Apocalypse 1: 9-13, 17-19
Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-31

   * First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. This passage describes various miracles worked by St. Peter and other Apostles through the power of the Risen Lord. People experienced the presence of the Risen Lord in a very powerful way through the ministry of the Apostles. As a result large number of people were added to the community of believers in the Lord Jesus.

   * Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. In this passage the Risen Lord encourages Apostle John in a vision and He reveals Himself as the Alpha and the Omega: the beginning and the end and the one who lives for ever. John is asked to write a message to the seven churches which will enlighten the whole Church until the end of times.

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This passage narrates how the Risen Lord appeared to the disciples when they were together in a room. He gently guides the unbelieving Thomas to faith and convinces him that He is indeed risen from the dead. Thomas immediately realizes his mistake and makes the act of faith in the Lord. But the Risen Lord commends the future believers by saying "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe". All of us have doubts and fears. We should learn from the example of Thomas. What a refreshing honesty he had. He did not hide his doubts. He did not pretend that everything was OK. Thomas through his questioning and unbelieving attitude became a key link between the age of the Apostles who saw the Lord with their own eyes and all those future disciples who will never see Jesus physically and yet believe in Him.
The Risen Lord invites us to draw close to Him in faith and to look at the same wounds of His. While it is true that we cannot touch Him physically He can draw us closer to Him spiritually. The Risen Lord will help us to make contact with Him and with one another. And having been touched by Him, He sends us forth to touch others who do not believe in Him. People will come to faith in the Risen Lord only when they can see Him and touch Him in His followers.
"Doubts can lead us to deeper faith"  
May the Risen Lord Bless you with His peace!
"There lies more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in half the creeds"- Lord Tennyson.
"It is by doubting that we came to investigate and by investigating that we recognize the truth" - P. Abelard.

Easter Sunday : C: April 21,2019

   "THE LORD IS RISEN ALLELUIA"

First Reading : Acts 10: 34,37-43
Second Reading: Colossians : 3:1-4
Gospel Reading: John 20: 1-9

   * First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. This passage gives a powerful testimony by St. Peter and other Apostles regarding the life of Jesus, His death on the Cross and His resurrection from the dead. The Apostles had the unique privilege of meeting the risen Lord, sharing meals with Him and experiencing His intimate presence. According to Jesus' command everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. In this passage Paul tells the community there and all of us that through our baptism we share in the life of the risen Christ. Hence we have to set our minds on the heavenly things and not on earthly things. We will also share in the glory of the risen Lord.

"The empty tomb and the Easter proclamation"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This passage gives a detailed account of the happenings on Easter Sunday morning. The first visitor to the tomb was Mary Magdalena who found the empty tomb and she thought Jesus' body was taken away by someone. She then went and reported the matter to the disciples. Peter and John, two of the Apostles went to the tomb and found it  empty. The truth of what the scriptures foretold gradually dawned upon them that Jesus would rise from the dead. 
Empty tomb by itself is not a proof of the resurrection of Jesus. But rather it is an indication that Jesus is not to be found among the dead. In our case too although we have the testimony of the Apostles that Jesus is indeed risen and appeared to them, we too need to be strengthened in our faith through a personal experience of the Risen Lord.
"May the Lord who has risen from dead bless You"
"The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death of all His people. Death is no longer a prison, but a passage into God's presence. Easter says you can put truth in a grave but it won't stay there." - C.W.Hall.
"The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it does not contain" - S.Morris.
"Christ the Lord is risen today/Sons of men and angels say/ Raise your joys and triumphs high/ Sing ye heavens/ and earth reply". C. Wesley.