Welcome to our Bible Study

2nd Sunday of Easter BDivine Mercy Sunday

12 April 2015

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy

In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st Reading: Acts 4:32-35

32 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. 33 With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. 34 There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.

1st Reading: Acts 4:32-35

32 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. 33 With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. 34 There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.

The focus is the community of believers of the resurrection.

1st Reading: Acts 4:32-35

32 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. 33 With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. 34 There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.

The characteristics of the community of believers are underlined.

1st Reading: Acts 4:32-35

Community

32 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.

Apostles bearing witness

33 With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all.

Community

34 There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.

A simple outline!

1st Reading: Acts 4:32-35The community

32 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.

The apostles

33 With great power (of the Holy Spirit) the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all

The community

34 There was no needy person among them,

Explanation

for those who owned property or houses (the rich)

would sell them,

bring the proceeds of the sale,

35 And put them at the feet of the apostles, (recognized authority of the apostles)

and they were distributed to each according to need.

Commentary

The first reading describes the life of the first Christian community. (vv.32 and 34)

It also describes the life of the apostles. (v. 33) They bear witness to the resurrection.

Favor is given to them all.

The community of believers is United (one heart and mind)

There is equality. There is no rich no poor (Detached and generous: They sell their assets and entrust to the apostles)

Communitarian

V.34 describes concretely how everyone becomes equal (no one in need)

The rich take the initiative to be poor; they sell and give to the apostles, who in turn distribute.

Not only did the apostles give witness to the resurrection, but also they distribute property.

Reflections on the 1st reading The belief in the resurrection builds community

life.

This belief urges each individual believer to give up something precious for the community.

Christians who believe in the resurrection become more generous and detached from their belongings.

They feel responsible for their poor brethren, by having less or nothing.

As Christians, do we feel responsible to the poor in our parishes and society?

What are our concrete gestures?

2nd Reading: 1 John 5:1-6 1 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. 2 In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. 5 Who (indeed) is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 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.

2nd Reading: 1 John 5:1-6

1 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. 2 In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. 5 Who (indeed) is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 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.

The focus is being son of God.

2nd Reading: 1 John 5:1-6 1 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. 2 In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whoever is begotten by Godconquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. 5 Who (indeed) is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 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.

Commentary

The whole passage is centered on being a child of God (begotten).

You are a child of God if You believe that Jesus is Christ, v .1

You love God (Father), vv.1-2

You keep his commandments, vv.2-3

You conquer the world, v.4

You are a victor if you believe Jesus is the Son of God. V.5 Victory has reference to the

resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus Christ himself becomes the son of God through water and blood (which comes out of him when he is crucified).

The Spirit testifies the sonship of Jesus and ours.

Reflections on the 2nd reading An important element of our Christian faith is that

Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ.

Christ is the one sent (anointed, assigned,

commissioned, authorized) by God to save us through his passion, death and resurrection.

We become children of God because we believe that Jesus is Christ. (Christ is not a surname.)

To make good our status as children of God, we must keep God’s commandments, which are not burdensome at all according to the reading.

As children of God, we too can conquer the world by not conforming to its materialistic values.

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31 19 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." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 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." 26 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." 27 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." 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. 31 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.

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

Setting: Sunday, doors locked, appearance and greetings of peace 19 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." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

The unbelieving Thomas 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25

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."

Setting: next Sunday, doors locked, appearance and greeting of peace 26 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." 27 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." 28

The believing Thomas Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have

you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

The purpose of signs: to believe and have life.

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. 31 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.

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31Setting: Sunday, doors

locked, appearance and greetings of peace

19 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." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Commentary

V.19 provides the setting of Jesus’ appearance to the disciples. When he appears, he greets them with the greeting of peace.

We presume the word “disciples” refer both to the apostles and disciples.

In v.20, Jesus seems to prove that he is real, by showing them his hands and side (how about his feet?).

At this point, there is no reaction yet from the disciples.

In v.20b, we get a reaction. They rejoice.

In v.21, Jesus repeats his greeting of peace, but adds something: “I send you…” They too shall do what Christ did.

In v.22, Jesus makes them receive the Holy Spirit, which gives them the power to forgive or retain sins.

What is the reason for forgiving?

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

The unbelieving Thomas

24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 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."

V.24 indicates that Thomas, one of the disciples, is not around when Jesus appears.

In v.25, the disciples immediately inform him of Jesus’ appearance.

Thomas does not believe the story right away. He wants to see what they had seen (his hands) and to put his finger into the nailmarks, and more, to put not just his finger but his hand into his side.

This seems too much for the asking. What if Jesus does not appear again? Thomas would have lost that wonderful opportunity for ever.

At this point, the disciples are helpless to convince Thomas.

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31Setting: next Sunday, doors locked,

appearance and greeting of peace

26 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." 27 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." 28

The believing Thomas

Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

The purpose of signs: to believe and have life.

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. 31 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.

In v.26, Jesus makes his second appearance with the same setting (Sunday, doors locked). At this time, Thomas is present. Jesus repeats his greetings of peace.

In v.27, Jesus focuses his attention on Thomas.

Jesus invites him to touch him, if that is his need, in order to believe. Jesus is sensitive to his need. Jesus asks him to stop his incredulity.

In v.28, Thomas expresses his deep faith, “My Lord and my God.”

In v.29, Jesus immediately makes an important statement for us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Vv.30-31 indicate that Jesus has done many other signs (appearances, miracles). What the author has written in his gospel has this purpose: for us to believe… thence, to have life in Jesus

Reflections on the gospel reading To believe is not automatic. It is a journey and an

interplay of time, space and community.

We need time to believe. (one week for Thomas. Maybe we need more than one week.)

We need space to believe. (locked room for the disciples, to be physically present to others, we need breathing space.)

We need a community to believe. (eyewitnesses, believers since the beginning, they tell us what they see, we need sincere and prayerful believers).

Faith in the resurrection of Jesus is not simply faith in the Risen Lord, but faith that Jesus is the Messiah, Christ, sent by God to save us, and this faith should bring us to our mission to forgive sinners, to bring souls to God.

Tying the three readings

The believers form a community (1st reading).

Faith in the risen Lord makes one begotten of God /

member of God’s family (2nd reading)

To believe in the Risen Lord is a journey and getting out

of your way (fears) to do your mission of forgiveness (gospel)

How to develop your homily / sharing

We must talk about the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus, based on the 3 readings.

The 1st reading talks about the early Christian believers.

The individual believers formed a community.

As a sign of belongingness, they give up their properties, to help the poorer members.

The gap between the rich and the poor is narrowed.

Our Christian faith is a call to justice, social justice at that.

Without a sense of fraternal responsibility, faith in the risen Lord does not make sense.

The 2nd reading talks about being begotten son of God through the belief (in the resurrection of Jesus).

Our identity as children of God is not to be taken lightly.

As God’s children, we take care to do his commandments.

There should be no command that is hard to do.

We can do everything if we believe in the meaning of our sonship.

In the gospel, we are asked to let go of our

undue demands before we believe in God.

We pray that we are there when God

manifests himself to us.

We facilitate God’s coming to us.

In an absence, we can miss a lot.

We should not be content with reports only,

if we are given opportunities to have first

hand experiences.

As pastors, we pay particular attention to the

difficulty of some Christians.

We have to give them time, space and a support

group.

We have to admit that there is a crisis of faith

among many Catholics. Their faith are shaken

because:

Somebody else tells them that they are wrong in their

faith (like when the born agains come to them).

Their source of hope (for their survival) gets sick or dies

or goes away without assurance of support.

Conflict with the parish priest or a religious. One is

scandalized.

The faith in the resurrection of Jesus all the more

should give us hope when we are in crisis.

The thought of the resurrection should sustain

our sanity in times of afflictions.

The resurrection of Jesus should make us look

forward to our own personal resurrections here

and now and in the life after.

Not to believe in the resurrection is a spiritual

suicide.

Everything becomes meaningless. You sentence

yourself to die and you die before your physical

death.

In our families and communities, there should no

place for disbelief and despair.

Those who are unruly, destructive in their speech

and unforgiving must be reminded that they are

not doing right.

Those who are asking difficult questions (on faith

and morals) to the wrong people must be told that

they take courage to approach those who know.

Learn to be present. Don’t be absent from

important activities. What other people say is

already filtered. You will never know the full story.

The eucharist is a sacrament that reminds

us of Jesus’ continued presence among us.

In the eucharist, Jesus continues to

manifest (appear) to us in the form of bread

and wine.

In the eucharist, we personally approach

Jesus.

In the eucharist, we express our faith that

Jesus is alive and he is here with us to

enliven us and animate us in our mission.

Our Context

Skepticism

Doubting

Contented with hearsay

Unforgiving

No sense of hope

No sense of a better future

Resigned to miserable conditions

Weak faith

Has space and time for others

Support of the community

Has fighting spirit

Perked up by high hopes

Does not lose hope easily

Trust in God’s mercy