From the Gospel acclamation: “You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; Blessed are those who have not seen me, but still believe!”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 20:19-31)
As the disciples are behind locked doors, afraid to come out and face persecution, Jesus appears to them. His first words are “Peace be with you.” Immediately afterward, he tells them, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” In his appearance to them and in “many other signs done in the presence of the disciples,” Jesus gives them the strength and courage necessary to proclaim the good news of his resurrection. Why was all of this done in this way? It is God’s mercy that all would know that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.”
God, help me take the example of Thomas in exchanging lack of faith with faith professed: “My Lord and my God!” I find myself to be one behind locked doors, yet you come to me in the Eucharist. “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed,” Jesus says. Give me the grace to depend not on material signs to shore up my faith but on believing without seeing. From the sequence from today’s reading: “Yes, Christ my hope is arisen; to Galilee he goes before you.” Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen. Alleluia.”