April 16, 2009
1st Reading: Acts of the Apostles 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.
Psalms 118(117),2-4.16-18.22-24.
Let the house of Israel say: God’s love endures forever.
Let the house of Aaron say, God’s love endures forever.
Let those who fear the LORD say, God’s love endures forever.
the LORD’S right hand is raised; the LORD’S right hand strikes with power.”
I shall not die but live and declare the deeds of the LORD.
The LORD chastised me harshly, but did not hand me over to death.
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
2nd Reading: First Letter of John 5,1-6.
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.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 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 Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
Sermon Thoughts:
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.
Psalms 118(117),2-4.16-18.22-24.
Let the house of Israel say: God’s love endures forever.
Let the house of Aaron say, God’s love endures forever.
Let those who fear the LORD say, God’s love endures forever.
the LORD’S right hand is raised; the LORD’S right hand strikes with power.”
I shall not die but live and declare the deeds of the LORD.
The LORD chastised me harshly, but did not hand me over to death.
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
2nd Reading: First Letter of John 5,1-6.
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.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 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 Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
Sermon Thoughts:
Many of us pass simply the judgement an call St Thomas the Apostle “doubting thomas“. But I say this is only a partial truth. If we accept Thomas was doubing, who was there among the Apostles really believed on Jesus’ Resurrection? St John (20, 20) himself reports that Jesus showed his hands and his side. How we will justify this? Thomas was not there. That’s a truth. But that doesn’t mean that he should be denied to witness and watch Jesus, face to face.
I think Apostles will not pass such a judgement. Then they will remember Jesus words (Joh 8,7) “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.“ The same sentence through which Jesus saved the woman in adultery.
But this doesn’t mean that Thomas is free from failure. No, on the contrary, I see an Absence of Thomas in the community. We don’t know, why Thomas went out. Normally all the Apostles were afraid of the Jews and were staying secure in a House at that time. To go out in that particular means there might have some urgent need. But all are our speculations only.
But through this absence Thomas is missing a chance to meet the Risen Christ. Not only that, he puts his faith in accordance with the sensual realization.
He states that clearly, that he will believe in Jesus, only certain things are fulfilled. What made him say that? Why he was so stubborn?
Any way he was heard. He gets the opportunity to touch Jesus.
He is the only Apostle who touches Jesus after he is resurrected.
There are many people, who are really not in the “communio”. And they pass judgements against Faith and God.
Are they worthy to do that?
Thomas was lucky. He got this special blessing from Jesus.
His declaration is also in that way unique. Jesus is proclaimed as “the Lord and the God!” Thomas meets his Personal God and Lord in Jesus. He is no more scrupulous. And his life is only for his Master.
Dear ones,
That was the speciality of the Apostles. Not only Thomas, but all the Apostles lived after the words of Jesus, after their unfaith and weakness.
We can distinguish these events better than these people.
We too have too many opportunities to meet and live Jesus.
Still where we are?
Still we pass judgment, that Thomas is doubting.
Actually who is doubting? Who is believing?
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