Posted: 4/15/2009 6:45:26 AM EDT
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Sunday, April 19, 2009
Divine Mercy Sunday Reading 1 Acts 4:32-35 The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. Reading II 1 Jn 5:1-6 Beloved: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth. Gospel Jn 20:19-31 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "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 in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 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. 
Overview of the Gospel: · This Sunday’s reading begins on the evening of Easter Sunday and continues one week later—the second Sunday of Easter. Every resurrection appearance of Jesus dated in the gospels occurs on a Sunday. This Sunday is also the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, declared by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000. · Jesus appears to his fearful disciples as they cowered behind locked doors. He bears in his glorified body the scars of his Passion, showing he has the same body he was buried with and is not, as the disciples fear, a ghost (Luke 24:36-40). · Jesus reassures them by saying “Peace” (“Shalom’). Jesus breathes on them, imparting the Holy Spirit upon them. This anticipates the gift of the Spirit to be given to the Church 50 days later on Pentecost. It also institutes the sacrament of Penance, by which the apostles are empowered to forgive sins in Jesus’ name. · The apostle Thomas is not present at this first appearance and expresses his disbelief. Jesus returns, however, and Thomas has a dramatic change of heart. Catechism of the Catholic Church: 210-211, 478 God's Son has been lifted up and reveals that God's mercy endures forever. The heart of Christ: loving us to the end. 1461-1462, 1468-1470 Sacramental reconciliation: restoring intimate friendship with God, a "spiritual resurrection." Christ entrusts the forgiveness of sins to his ministers. 644-646 The disciples' doubts. The condition of Christ's resurrected humanity. 728-730 In the hour of his glorification, Christ breathes forth the Holy Spirit to share his mission with his Church. 820-822 Maintaining the unity of the Church. 949-953, 2043 Church: a communion in spiritual and temporal goods. Precept to provide for needs of the Church. 1097-1098 In the liturgy, the faithful - drawn in the Spirit beyond differences of race and culture - encounter Christ. 1846-1848 God's mercy to sinners. Questions: · Of who or what are the disciples afraid? Of all the things Jesus must have said, why does St. John record “Peace be with you” three times (verses 19, 21, 26)? How does this relate to their fears? To their being sent (verse 21)? · How does Thomas’ personality compare with Mary Magdalene’s (verse 13)? To the other disciples (verses 9, 19)? How does Jesus deal with Thomas’ doubt (verse 29)? · Under what circumstances are you liable to exclaim, “My Lord and my God!” along with Thomas? How might that prayer become more than a mere formula? · Where could you use Jesus’ “peace” right now: in some relationship? In some inner fear? In your work? What doubts or questions about God are you struggling with? What have you found helpful in dealing with doubts? |
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"Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." This ought to be meditated on repeatedly. How many threads do we see here where Christians continue to claim that "priests can't forgive sins" or "confession of sins to a priest is unbiblical" or "I confess my sins to God directly, no need for intermediaries"? Far beyond a "proof text" this line in scripture has PROFOUND implications to the "you" in question and the "them" in question. |
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Quoted:
"Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." This ought to be meditated on repeatedly. How many threads do we see here where Christians continue to claim that "priests can't forgive sins" or "confession of sins to a priest is unbiblical" or "I confess my sins to God directly, no need for intermediaries"? Far beyond a "proof text" this line in scripture has PROFOUND implications to the "you" in question and the "them" in question. True. There is a lot of evidence supporting the Sacrament of Confession. While you certainly can confess directly to God, confession in front of a priest shows humility, since you are willing to be open and vulnerable by confessing your wrongs and also by admitting you aren't perfect. It shows that you really mean what you are saying, since it is harder to say them in front of a person than in private where nobody hears you. I have confessed sins directly to God, and it felt as if I was forgiven, but not finished. If I truly want to show that I mean what I say when I apologize, I should do it in front of God's appointed servant. It teaches humility, obedience, I get advice, and it shows that Iam truly sorry. Confession is the way to go! 
What's scary is the "and whose sins you retain are retained". Good reason to forgive your enemies. 
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Of who or what are the disciples afraid? Of all the things Jesus must have said, why does St. John record “Peace be with you” three times (verses 19, 21, 26)? How does this relate to their fears? To their being sent (verse 21)?
After what happened to Jesus, the disciples are afraid of the Jewish leaders, thinking they will be next. I think Jesus is reminding them that they are going to need that peace - which they get from him - based on what the world has in store for them. How does Thomas’ personality compare with Mary Magdalene’s (verse 13)? To the other disciples (verses 9, 19)? How does Jesus deal with Thomas’ doubt (verse 29)? Mary is full of sorrow and pity, according to her staying at the tomb and weeping. Interestingly, she is comforted, first by 2 angels, then by Christ himself. Thomas, on the other hand was more emotionally detached and hardened. Why wasn't he there with the others? Had he given up on the whole deal? The other disciples had no idea what was happening, and seemed more concerned with their own safety than anything else. Jesus deals with Thomas' doubt first by appearing and saying - here you go, here's your proof - but also uses it as a teaching moment. Once he ascends, people will no longer be presented with such tangible proof, but will believe anyway, because they are touched by the Holy Spirit. |
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Quoted:
While you certainly can confess directly to God, confession in front of a priest shows humility, since you are willing to be open and vulnerable by confessing your wrongs and also by admitting you aren't perfect. It shows that you really mean what you are saying, since it is harder to say them in front of a person than in private where nobody hears you. I have confessed sins directly to God, and it felt as if I was forgiven, but not finished. If I truly want to show that I mean what I say when I apologize, I should do it in front of God's appointed servant. It teaches humility, obedience, I get advice, and it shows that Iam truly sorry. Confession is the way to go! I agree with everything you have said here. I would just clarify for any lurkers, that during the sacrament of confession, we are confessing directly to God, but we are doing it in the presence of a servant of God, a priest, who is acting in persona Christi. (Just to emphasize that we are not just talking to another human and cutting God out of the deal.) As you have alluded to, there is a huge difference in just sitting down in prayer and telling God you are sorry for your sins, etc. and sitting down with a priest and telling God these things. CCC1496:
The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are: - reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace; - reconciliation with the Church; - remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins; - remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin; - peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation; - an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle. You may achieve some of these effects with one-on-one prayer, but you won't get all of them without the sacrament, the way Christ intended it. |
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· Under what circumstances are you liable to exclaim, “My Lord and my God!” along with Thomas?
Especially during Holy Communion. Plus there are times when I struggle with anxiety and stress that God will bring me great comfort through friends or through prayers, that helps me realize that I am not alone and that He is much bigger than any problem I could have. Also, when I look at my son, I see a wonderful gift that God has brought into my life! · Where could you use Jesus’ “peace” right now: in some relationship? In some inner fear? In your work? What doubts or questions about God are you struggling with? What have you found helpful in dealing with doubts? I had been struggling with stress from work, friends are getting cut and there is so much uncertainty. But by the grace of God I am at peace, and I have been able to be there for my friends during tough times to remind them that God will provide. Sometimes the doubts that I have are when I don't see my will be done when I think that it should be God's will right then. But that is not God's short fall but mine and my weakness of faith. |
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· Of who or what are the disciples afraid? Of all the things Jesus must have said, why does St. John record “Peace be with you” three times (verses 19, 21, 26)? How does this relate to their fears? To their being sent (verse 21)? The Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities. The disciples were justifyable afraid that they were next for the same sort of treatment they had just witnessed against Jesus. Jesus' "Peace" was meant to counter those fears - and any others they may have had. He demonstrated by His reisen presence to them that they had nothing to fear from the autorities. · How does Thomas’ personality compare with Mary Magdalene’s (verse 13)? To the other disciples (verses 9, 19)? How does Jesus deal with Thomas’ doubt (verse 29)? Thomas seems to be quite sure of himself. Mary seems to be a bit more humble and seeks only to serve Jesus, who brought her to faith. · Under what circumstances are you liable to exclaim, “My Lord and my God!” along with Thomas? How might that prayer become more than a mere formula? At the Consecration - when the host is lifted and the bells ring, I am overcome with awe and say this. · Where could you use Jesus’ “peace” right now: in some relationship? In some inner fear? In your work? What doubts or questions about God are you struggling with? What have you found helpful in dealing with doubts? I would think I could use His "peace" in our concern for the future of our nation. I pray that God not take away the blessings of liberty He has bestowed on us. I pray that we may overcome those who would turn us away from the path of freedom. |