2nd Sunday of Easter

Gospel Bullet Points (John 20:19-31)

• In today’s Gospel, we read about the first appearance of the Risen Lord to the Apostles and a second appearance a week after. The second appearance focuses on Thomas, who was not present with the rest of the apostles when Jesus first appeared among them. Where could Thomas be during the appearance? We wonder. We do not exactly know, but as soon as he returns, the other disciples tell him they have seen the Lord. And he refused to believe them.
• It was quite a shock to the other disciples to hear Thomas refuse to accept their testimony. Thomas wanted to see and touch Jesus’ wounds. In spite of the apostles’ efforts to convince Thomas, he remained fixed in his attitude . . . “Unless I put my fingers.” Thomas wanted EVIDENCE. He asked for proof before he believed.
• What can we say about Thomas’ personality?
• FIRST: Thomas is HONEST. He is real and not plastic, bolero and balimbing! He confessed the truth. He did not say what his colleagues wanted to hear. Some of us say YES when facing each other, POSITIVE and BEAUTIFUL. But when you turn your back, they are full of CRITICISM and DESTRUCTIVE WORDS. Some of us are just riding with the MAJORITY, flattering and immediately believing in fake news and gossip.
• Second, Thomas is HUMBLE. Thomas doubted at first. But when he found out that he had made a mistake, he repented, changed, and turned around. Tayo pag mali ay nangangatwiran pa. Nahuli na ay humihirit pa. Buko na, umiiwas pa. When Thomas learned the truth that Jesus was resurrected, he dedicated his whole life to Jesus. From then on, Jesus became his number one priority. When the Lord appeared to Thomas, he experienced the desire of his heart and exclaimed, “MY LORD and MY GOD.
• Like Thomas, perhaps we have, in some ways, doubted the Lord and failed to recognize Him in our lives. Now is the appropriate time to return to the Lord and renew our commitment.