Our
First Reading
in the Easter Season comes not from the
Old Testament, but from the Acts of the Apostles.
A book worth reading,
the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the Church's beginnings.
Jesus appeared to the Apostles,
who were later inspired to preach by the Holy Spirit,
converting three thousand that day -
the early Church was not small after this!
The
Psalms
recall the Salvation story - God chose Israel, and many times He acted to save them, giving them cause for rejoicing.
They don't sugar-coat the reality of the suffering and shame endured, but their faithfulness is rewarded in everlasting measure!
St. Paul echoes the Psalms in the
Second Reading
-
recalling both the trials and the glory.
He revels in God's Glory and Goodness - extended to us!
Alleluia!
Today's
Gospel
for us is heard a week after the Passion and the Easter morning stories about Jesus' Resurrection.
For the Apostles, this happens the same day
as the women reported Jesus' disappearance.
The Apostles struggled to believe the story of the women who claimed Jesus was Risen and the empty tomb seen by Peter and John.
Jesus appears to them all in a locked room.
His arrival dispels their unbelief -
except for Thomas who was not present.
He did not believe the other Apostles - and the women -
how many would have been enough?
But before we judge, how many times have we been asked to give our full commitment to Christ - and yet
we held back because we didn't quite fully believe?
