In the gospel for this Sunday, the disciples gathered together in a locked room, afraid and uncertain about what the future holds. Suddenly, Jesus appears to them, even though the doors are locked. He greets them with the words, "Peace be with you," a greeting that is full of significance for anyone who is seeking to find peace in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty.
Jesus then shows the disciples his wounds, which serve as proof of his resurrection. This encounter is a powerful moment of transformation for the disciples, who are filled with joy and a new sense of purpose. However, one of the disciples, Thomas, is not present at this moment, and when he is told about what happened, he expresses doubt about the truth of what he has been told. When Jesus appears to Thomas later and invites him to touch his wounds, Thomas is filled with a new sense of faith and declares, "My Lord and my God!" This encounter serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and belief in the Christian life.
In this gospel, we may learn a lot about the nature of faith and doubt. Like the disciples in the gospel, there was also doubt when they saw Jesus at first. We too may feel uncertain and afraid at times, wondering if we are truly on the right path. We may have moments of doubt, questioning the truth of our beliefs or the reality of God's presence in our lives. Also, we celebrate this second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. God is always willing to forgive and offer His mercy to those who seek it. In the story, Jesus shows his wounds to the disciples as a symbol of his mercy and forgiveness. This teaches us that no matter what mistakes we have made, we can always turn to God for forgiveness and receive his mercy.
My brothers and sisters, it is a reminder for each one of us of the importance of being part of a faith, where we can find support, encouragement, and accountability as we seek to deepen our faith and grow in our relationship with God. It also reminds us that faith is not only a belief but a relationship with the living God.