Homily Cycle B 4/11/2021
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041121.cfm
Today ends the OCTAVE of Easter, our 8-day celebration! However, the Easter Season continues until Pentecost, so great a feast, 50 days are needed. Easter reminds us to be cognizant of the fact that Jesus’ Resurrection is our HOPE. St. Paul said, “If Christ did not rise from the dead then our faith is in vain!
Luke tells us in the Acts “…the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” The early Christians viewed the world through the lens of Jesus’s Resurrection. Do our lives, actions, and attitudes bear witness to our faith in Jesus and His Resurrection?
Jesus won the victory over death, so our lives should reflect the joy of Easter. The Gospel tells us that “… the doors were locked ….” are the doors to our hearts and souls locked from letting God totally in our lives.
Thomas proclaimed, “Jesus My Lord and My God!” What fundamental difference does the fact that Jesus is our Lord and our God make in our life our actions and our attitudes? Thomas proclaimed Jesus’ message and we can proclaim His message by how we live!
The Risen Lord showed Thomas His wounds – those wounds exist today in the homeless, jobless, victims of shootings, in the COVID Pandemic and in all the problems we face. This is Divine Mercy Sunday, and it reminds us that we must bring God’s mercy and love to our families, our friends and our world.
Thomas saw God fully revealed in Jesus. We receive Jesus in the Eucharist, a Mystery to be Believed and to be Lived. Will we respond, “My Lord and My God”? Our Amen after Receiving the Eucharist commits us to being a faithful disciple and witness to Jesus Christ. Nourished by His Eucharist can go forth from here to bring Jesus’ Hope and Love to heal the wounds in our families and in our world!
Fr. Richard Carton was speaking to a group of 2nd graders about the Resurrection & a student asked him, “Father, what did Jesus say right after He came out of the grave?” While Fr. Rich pondered his response, a little girl raised her hand and said “I know what He said, Father!
“What did He say?”
“Tah-dah!”
“Tah-dah!” Probably not.
“Easter is the fulfillment of God’s Promise to humanity.” (Connections, 04/10/12)
In Acts we heard “The community of believers was of one heart and mind….” That community lived with Fear, Doubt and Hope – their Hope was in Jesus. That Hope was renewed in Jesus Resurrection and strengthened by His gift of Eucharist. Jesus’ Resurrection conquered death and our hope is based on that fact. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” That’s you and me; the Lord blesses us today and every day.
Despite our doubts, our failures, our sins we believe, we believe. We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song! For a few minutes, in silence, reflect on what Jesus’ Resurrection means to you?
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Saint Andre Bessette intercede for us.
May God Be Praised!
My wife and I will be visiting our son and daughter-in-law in Kennesaw, Georgia and my sister and brother-in-law in South Carolina, therefore "The Daily Dose of God" will not be published until Friday, April 23, 2021. Thank you for your prayers and support of "The Daily Dose of God", you will be in my prayers.
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