"FIRST IMPRESSIONS"

2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER (C) APRIL 27, 2025

(or SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY)

Acts 5: 12-16 Psalm 118 Rev 1:9-11a,12-13,17-19 John 20: 19-31

by Jude Siciliano, OP

Dear Preachers:

I need your help. While I'm no longer preaching full-time—time has caught up with me—I remain committed to maintaining the Preacher Exchange website as a free resource. As you know, it's bilingual and serves preachers, worshipers, and catechists around the world—many of whom cannot afford or have access to such material elsewhere.

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Thank you, Rev. Jude Siciliano, OP

- Preacher

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All I can say is, "Thank God for Thomas!" Poor Thomas, he gets the brunt of today's gospel. Easter was just one week ago and today we have a story about one of Jesus' closest disciples doubting the resurrection. We even have a common term for someone who will not accept a truth, we call them a "Doubting Thomas." Some even call today, "Doubting Thomas Sunday." Poor Thomas.

But do you understand Thomas' situation? Can you identify with him because, like Thomas, we were not in the room when Jesus first appeared to his disciples who were locked in fear and disappointment. We are also a long way in time from today's story, which took place a mere seven days after the resurrection.

Thomas does have the advantage over us, doesn't he? At least, eventually, he did meet the risen Lord. But I'm so glad he initially doubted what the others were telling him, "We have seen the Lord!" There are enthusiastic Christians in our world all around us, good for them! Some seem to make faith easy. They seem to be able to float over the stuff of daily life: not just its joys and successes, but also its failures and disappointments. That is why I can say, "Thank God for Thomas."

He speaks for me when life's problems rise to my neck and I don't see any way out ; when I am weighed down and need help and don't feel the proximity of the Lord.

We just celebrated Holy Week services. That is a reminder that our faith does not rest on some long-ago teacher, who just speaks encouraging words from a long time ago. Rather, if Holy Week and Easter should have taught us anything, it is that the risen Jesus is in our daily lives, the events of each day, not long ago but now. Some days we may not feel that note of hope; but if doubt-burdened Thomas had reason to change his mind and profess, "My Lord and my God," before his risen Lord, then by our faith we also can be prompted to do the same. Will we take that prompt?

When Jesus appeared among his frightened disciples John tells us he "stood in their midst; showed them his wounds and told them, 'Peace be with you."' He said that not once but twice. Did it take more than a moment to overcome their incredulity? Some of us say similar things when we meet others, "Peace, sister/brother." "So nice to meet you." "God bless you." These are meaningful expressions, they come from our heart. So do Jesus' words today, "Peace be with you," come from his heart for his disciples. But, when Jesus bids his disciples, "Peace be with you," more is going on. These are words from the Word-of-God made flesh. They have the power to do what they say. Jesus is not just wishing his friend's well being, his words are accomplishing what they say, peace in his doubting and troubled disciples – and peace for us as well!

This is a day for those who wish they were always firm in their faith, but are not. Don't all of us have moments of doubt and uncertainty? We wish we were stronger and more committed to what we profess today in our Creed. But, we have to admit we are not and so we are a lot closer to Thomas than we first think.

Initially, Thomas does not expresses doubts to Christ, but to the community, the church. Despite his doubts in the church, the community members do not throw him out, but are patient with him – as we need to be with one another. We differ and argue about liturgical practices, political views, methods of education, etc. But we do not close the door on anyone, hoping they will experience with us the resurrected Christ in our midst.

Thomas is a key figure in John's Gospel. The other Gospels name him as one of the Twelve. But Thomas is mentioned three times in John's Gospel. He is also given a nickname – Didymus (11-16). It is an Aramaic name meaning, "twin." Is John making a point suggesting Thomas has a twin – the reader? Are we the twins, who like Thomas, struggle with our faith in Jesus and want more concrete, "touchable" proof that Jesus is risen from the dead?

But let us not be too hard on Thomas, because when he "gets it" he really gets it, as he exclaims, "My Lord and my God." That exclamation shows he recognizes Jesus. That may sound like a pious title. But at the time of this gospel Domition was the Emperor of Rome. The title for Christ that Thomas uses was what a Roman citizen would use in greeting the Emperor, "Dominus et deus." "My Lord and god." It was a term used exclusively for the Emperor. To address anyone else in that way was to be revolutionary.

We can identify with Thomas in our doubts; but Thomas moved on and he would wish we do also. The gospel today challenges us to search for answers or, to be patient during the in-between time, as we wait for resolution to our doubts and fears.

Having doubts in our faith is not a reason to walk out. No matter what other paths we choose, we will always have doubts. Instead, let's hope, whether through prayer, other Christians, the poor, the Scriptures and preaching we meet the risen Lord and with Thomas can say, "My Lord and my God." When this happens our worlds will be changed. So, when we acknowledge both our doubts and faith we may have to be prepared to have our lives changed, along with Doubting Thomas.

Click here for a link to this Sunday's readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042725.cfm

QUOTABLE

"Lord, enfold me in the depths of your heart; and there hold me,

refine, purge and set me on fire, raise me aloft,

until my own self knows utter annihilation."

----Teilhard de Chardin

JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD

Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.

--John 20: 21

Remember that when the disciples heard these words, they were in hiding behind four walls. Jesus speaks the same words to us today. We are not meant to stay behind the four walls of our parish churches or cathedrals. We are to take the good news out into the world. Indeed, the laity is called to change the temporal order, out of disorder and into the Realm of God. God hears our thoughts: "The task is too huge;" "I barely have enough time in my day as it is now;" "Surely God must have meant someone else;" "I will get to it when I have finished fill in the blank." Do you see that walls do not have to be made of brick and mortar?

If we do not do it, who will? God believes we can do it. In the many weeks of this Lenten season, the Works of Mercy ministries active here at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral have been highlighted. They are wonderful points of light and offer a way to get involved with other parishioners in causes greater than ourselves; a way to step outside the box and bring hope to a world of hurt. They are listed on our website www.raleighcathedral.org Our current ministries are not a conclusive list. If you have been touched by a cause and want to bring it to the Cathedral parish, let me know of your interest at socialconcern@hnojnc.org . Let's make it happen. We are all born to do great things but we have to believe it. We have to believe in a realm that cherishes virtue, wisdom, kindness, and merciful love—walls that breathe the Spirit of God, Divine Mercy.

Loving God,

lead us beyond ourselves

to care and protect,

to nourish and shape,

to challenge and energize

both the life and the world

You have given us.

God of light and God of darkness,

God of conscience and God of courage

lead us through this time.

Lead us beyond fear, apathy, and defensiveness,

to new hope in You and to hearts full of faith and willingness to be sent. Amen.

(Prayer adaptedfrom http://monasteriesoftheheart.org)

Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director,

Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries

Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Raleigh, NC

Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. "Faith Book" is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.

From today's Gospel reading:

Jesus said to Thomas, "Have you come to believe

because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Reflection:

How can we "prove" to others that Christ is risen from the dead? Our nourishment for that task comes from the Scriptures, preaching, teaching, personal witness, liturgical celebrations etc. – ways we can help a modern doubter like Thomas come to know Christ. Today's passage affirms that people come to believe in the Risen Christ through their experience of the believing community, people like us.

So we ask ourselves:

How does my life reflect the risen Christ?

What and who help me grow in my role as a witness to the resurrection?

POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES

"One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out." ---Pope Francis

Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates' names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.

Please write to:

Tony Savalis Summers	#0395658	(On death row since 3/22/2011)

William Robinson	#0694689	(12/9/11)

Mario Mc Neil	#0788387	(5/29/2013)

----Central Prison P.O. 247 Phoenix, MD 21131

Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland.

For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/

On this page you can sign "The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty." Also, check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/

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