ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS - Comments From the Chair - 11 April 2021
#AppearanceToTheDisciples #Thomas #Faith #FearOrFaith #SundayOfDivineMercy #SecondSundayOfEaster TOPIC: ARE YOU BLANKETED IN FEAR OR COVERED BY FAITH? First Reading: Acts 4:32-35 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 Second Reading: 1 John 5:1-6 Alleluia: John 20:29 Gospel: John 20:19-31 In today’s gospel reading, when Jesus showed himself for the first time after resurrection to his disciples, there was one person missing ⏤ Thomas. When told later that they had seen Jesus, he said he would only believe if he saw Jesus with his own eyes with all his wounds and touch them. The following week, as the disciples were huddled in the room, Jesus appeared, greeted them with peace, and asked Thomas to touch His wounds. “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.” (verse 27). Thomas utters one of the most powerful statements in the Bible acknowledging Jesus’ divinity ⏤ the only time anyone directly calls Jesus God ⏤ “My Lord and my God.” (verse 28) As Christians, we take comfort in Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (verse 29) Let us learn to strengthen this gift of faith from God. This is the 369th installment of our CFC quarantine contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings. [NOTE: All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on / cfchrist and Bong Arjonillo’s Facebook page]
