Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson
You could say that a newly engaged couple have something in common with a newly graduated student; or someone newly promoted or praised: they all have a certain glow in their appearance. The same applies to a new Catholic at the Easter Vigil or the same of a new Christian at the time of the first Easter. St. Thomas the Apostle had it upon seeing the risen Jesus, even if his glow also bore the tinge of embarrassment as well.
As onlookers, we perceive all this easily enough in others. We might remark about it, or even ask: “How do you feel? or “What happened to you?” Those of us who have lived awhile already know the answers, either from similar lived experience or from personally acquired book knowledge. It is the joy of being in a new but long-desired situation; a dream fulfilled; a happy ending to a long story.
Sacred Scripture sometimes gives such things a quick acknowledgment, such as the description of Moses’ face after he had dialogues with God on Mt. Sinai. But that is rare. We must imagine the looks on the faces of the people who came to believe in Jesus from the so-called “signs and wonders” worked by the Apostles in these very early days of the Church. Especially those miracles worked by St. Peter, to the point that they believed even his shadow could be a source of healing for the sick.
When we come to the second Sunday of those first Easter days, and the powerful meeting of the risen Jesus with a doubting Thomas, I think we can “see” a kind of glow on the Apostle’s face. At first, there was some embarrassment. Jesus uses Thomas’ own words when he commands Thomas to touch the divine wounds in hands and feet and side. Then comes St. Thomas’ great profession of faith, as he kneels humbly and tearfully proclaims “My Lord and my God!”
There it is! This personal proof for one former doubter; the climactic moment of John’s whole gospel; the call of faith for each one of us as we leave the pew and walk up the aisle to receive Holy Communion.
Do we have an observable glow on our faces? Maybe. Maybe not. After all, we have done this many times in our lives. But there should be a certain inner peace from knowing that the living God dwells within us for some special moments.
A certain Polish nun named Sister Faustina felt this glow after a appearance to her of Our Lord, shown with His heart projecting rays of red and blue light, at the same time asking for our trust in Him. That’s why this second Sunday of Easter is also named “Divine Mercy Sunday.”
The Easter message is a test of our trust and our faith. And of our faith it was the great St. Augustine who said, “If you believe what you like in the gospel and reject what you don’t like; it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself. Best to believe it all.
God love you and give you His Easter peace.
Rev. Peterson’s Reading & Gospel Summary
Reading I: Acts 5: 12-16
Many people came to believe in Jesus through the signs and wonders worked by the Apostles, especially by Peter.
Reading II: Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
This first vision describes Jesus in both divine and human terms.
White hair for the “Ancient of Days,” and a voice like the rumbling of the Lord’s glory.
The Gospel: John 20: 19-31
Jesus is raised not simply with a body, but with the same body that had been crucified only days before. St. Thomas makes what is the climatic confession of faith in John’s gospel: “My Lord and my God.”