Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections

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Sunday ReadingsCommentary and Reflections

• 2nd Sunday of Easter B
• Divine Mercy Sunday
• April 12, 2015
• In preparation for this Sundays liturgy
• As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM
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1st Reading Acts 4,32-35

• 32 The community of believers was of one heart
  and mind, and no one claimed that any of his
  possessions was his own, but they had everything
  in common. 33 With great power the apostles bore
  witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
  and great favor was accorded them all. 34 There
  was no needy person among them, for those who
  owned property or houses would sell them, bring
  the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put them at the
  feet of the apostles, and they were distributed
  to each according to need.

The focus is the community of believers.
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1st Reading Acts 4,32-35

• 32 The community of believers was of one heart
  and mind, and no one claimed that any of his
  possessions was his own, but they had everything
  in common. 33 With great power the apostles bore
  witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
  and great favor was accorded them all. 34 There
  was no needy person among them, for those who
  owned property or houses would sell them, bring
  the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put them at the
  feet of the apostles, and they were distributed
  to each according to need.

The characteristics of the community of believers
are underlined.
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1st Reading Acts 4,32-35
A simple outline!

• Community, one
• 32 The community of believers was of one heart
  and mind, and no one claimed that any of his
  possessions was his own, but they had everything
  in common.
• Apostles bearing witness
• 33 With great power the apostles bore witness to
  the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great
  favor was accorded them all.
• Community, no needy
• 34 There was no needy person among them, for
  those who owned property or houses would sell
  them, bring the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put
  them at the feet of the apostles, and they were
  distributed to each according to need.

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1st Reading Acts 4,32-35

• The community, one
• 32 The community of believers was
• of one heart and mind,
• And no one claimed that any of his possessions
  was his own but they had everything in common.
• The apostles
• 33 With great power (of the Holy Spirit) the
  apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the
  Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all
• The community, no needy
• 34 There was no needy person among them,
• Explanation
• for those who owned property or houses (the rich)
• would sell them,
• bring the proceeds of the sale,
• 35 And put them at the feet of the apostles,
  (recognized authority of the apostles)
• and they were distributed to each according to
  need.

• Commentary
• The reading describes the life of the first
  Christian community. (vv.32 and 34)
• It also describes the life of the apostles. (v.
  33)
• They bear witness to the resurrection.
• Favor is given to them all.
• The community of believers is
• united. (one heart and mind)
• There is equality. There is no rich. no poor.
  (Detached and generous They sell their assets
  and entrust to the apostles).
• Communitarian
• V.34 describes concretely how everyone becomes
  equal (no one in need)
• The rich take the initiative to be poor they
  sell and give to the apostles, who in turn
  distribute to the needy.
• Not only did the apostles give witness to the
  resurrection, but also they distribute / dispense
  the goods.

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Reflections on the 1st reading

• The belief in the resurrection builds community
  life.
• This belief urges each individual believer to
  give up something precious for the good of the
  community.
• Christians, who believe in the resurrection,
  become more generous and detached from their
  belongings.
• They feel responsible for their poor brethren, by
  having less or nothing.
• As Christians, do we feel responsible for the
  poor in our parishes and society?
• What are our concrete gestures in the Year of the
  Poor? (for Philippines)

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Resp.Ps 1182-4, 13-15, 22-24

• R. (1) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
  his love is everlasting.or Alleluia.
• 2 Let the house of Israel say,"His mercy endures
  forever."3 Let the house of Aaron say,"His
  mercy endures forever."4 Let those who fear the
  LORD say,"His mercy endures forever."
• 13 I was hard pressed and was falling,but the
  LORD helped me.14 My strength and my courage is
  the LORD,and he has been my savior.15 The
  joyful shout of victoryin the tents of the
  just
• 22 The stone which the builders rejectedhas
  become the cornerstone.23 By the LORD has this
  been doneit is wonderful in our eyes.24 This
  is the day the LORD has madelet us be glad and
  rejoice in it.

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Resp. Ps 1182-4, 13-15, 22-24

• Commentary
• The psalm acknowledges Gods enduring mercy.
• Vv.2-4 exhort all Israelites and God-fearing
  people to proclaim Gods enduring mercy.
• V.13 relates the experience of the psalmist (hard
  pressed, hard up and failing, falling) and Gods
  saving help.
• V.14 describes who God is to the psalmist My
  strength, my courage, my savior.
• V.15 describes what the joyful people do They
  shout / celebrate Gods victory.
• Vv.22-24 give references to the mystery of the
  Risen Lord.
• A very appropriate quotation to describe the
  meaning of the Resurrection of Christ.

• R. (1) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
  his love is everlasting.or Alleluia.
• 2 Let the house of Israel say,"His mercy endures
  forever."3 Let the house of Aaron say,"His
  mercy endures forever."4 Let those who fear the
  LORD say,"His mercy endures forever."
• 13 I was hard pressed and was falling,but the
  LORD helped me.14 My strength and my courage is
  the LORD,and he has been my savior.15 The
  joyful shout of victoryin the tents of the
  just
• 22 The stone which the builders rejectedhas
  become the cornerstone.23 By the LORD has this
  been doneit is wonderful in our eyes.24 This
  is the day the LORD has madelet us be glad and
  rejoice in it.

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Reflections on the Psalm

• We, Christians, must burst into a high pitched
  celebration because the Lord is risen.
• The Lords Resurrection is a sign of Gods
  enduring love and mercy.
• Who does not want to experience Gods mercy and
  power?
• Those who feel oppressed, think again and
  celebrate.
• Even the people before the resurrection of Christ
  acknowledged Gods power. How much more today
  that we have come to believe in the Risen Lord.

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2nd Reading 1 John 5,1-6

• 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ
  is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the
  father loves (also) the one begotten by him. 2
  In this way we know that we love the children of
  God when we love God and obey his commandments.
  3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his
  commandments. And his commandments are not
  burdensome, 4 for whoever is begotten by God
  conquers the world. And the victory that conquers
  the world is our faith. 5 Who (indeed) is the
  victor over the world but the one who believes
  that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the one
  who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,
  not by water alone, but by water and blood. The
  Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit
  is truth.

The focus is being child of God.
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2nd Reading 1 John 5,1-6

• 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ
  is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the
  father loves (also) the one begotten by him. 2
  In this way we know that we love the children of
  God when we love God and obey his commandments.
  3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his
  commandments. And his commandments are not
  burdensome, 4 for whoever is begotten by God
  conquers the world. And the victory that conquers
  the world is our faith. 5 Who (indeed) is the
  victor over the world but the one who believes
  that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the one
  who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,
  not by water alone, but by water and blood. The
  Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit
  is truth.

• Commentary
• The whole passage is centered on being a child of
  God (begotten).
• You are a child of God if
• you believe that Jesus is Christ. v .1
• you love God (Father). vv.1-2
• you keep his commandments. vv.2-3
• you conquer the world. v.4
• You are a victor if you believe in Jesus as the
  Son of God. v.5
• Victory has reference to the resurrection of
  Jesus.
• Jesus Christ himself becomes the son of God
  through water and blood (which comes out of him
  when he is crucified). v.6
• The Spirit testifies the sonship of Jesus and
  ours.

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Reflections on the 2nd reading

• An important element of our Christian faith is
  that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ.
• Christ is the one sent (anointed, assigned,
  commissioned, authorized) by God to save us
  through his passion, death and resurrection.
• We become children of God because we believe that
  Jesus is the Christ. (Christ is not a surname.)
• To make good of our status as children of God, we
  must keep Gods commandments, which are not
  burdensome at all according to the reading.
• As children of God, we, too, can conquer the
  world by not conforming to its materialistic
  values.

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Gospel Reading John 20,19-31
Outline

• Setting Sunday, doors locked, appearance and
  greetings of peace
• 19 On the evening of that first day of the week,
  when the doors were locked, where the disciples
  were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood
  in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with
  you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them
  his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced
  when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them
  again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent
  me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said
  this, he breathed on them and said to them,
  "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you
  forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you
  retain are retained."
• The unbelieving Thomas
• 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was
  not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other
  disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."
  But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of
  the nails in his hands and put my finger into the
  nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will
  not believe."
• Setting next Sunday, doors locked, appearance
  and greeting of peace
• 26 Now a week later his disciples were again
  inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came,
  although the doors were locked, and stood in
  their midst and said, "Peace be with you." 27
  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and
  see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into
  my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
  28
• The believing Thomas
• Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my
  God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to
  believe because you have seen me? Blessed are
  those who have not seen and have believed."
• The purpose of signs to believe and have life.
• 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence
  of (his) disciples that are not written in this
  book. 31 But these are written that you may
  (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the
  Son of God, and that through this belief you may
  have life in his name.

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Gospel Reading John 20,19-31

• Setting Sunday, doors locked, appearance and
  greetings of peace
• 19 On the evening of that first day of the week,
  when the doors were locked, where the disciples
  were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood
  in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with
  you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them
  his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced
  when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them
  again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent
  me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said
  this, he breathed on them and said to them,
  "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you
  forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you
  retain are retained."

• Commentary
• V.19 provides the setting of Jesus appearance to
  the disciples. When he appears, he greets them
  with the greeting of peace.
• We presume that the word disciples refers both
  to the apostles and disciples.
• In v.20, Jesus proves that he is real, by showing
  them his hands and side (how about his feet?).
• At this point, there is no reaction from the
  disciples.
• In v.20b, we get a reaction. They rejoice.
• In v.21, Jesus repeats his greeting of peace, but
  adds something I send you They too shall do
  what Christ did.
• In v.22, Jesus makes them receive the Holy
  Spirit, which gives them the power to forgive or
  retain sins.
• What is the reason for forgiving?

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Gospel Reading John 20,19-31

• The unbelieving Thomas
• 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was
  not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other
  disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."
  But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of
  the nails in his hands and put my finger into the
  nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will
  not believe."

• V.24 indicates that Thomas, one of the disciples,
  was not around when Jesus appeared.
• In v.25, the disciples immediately inform him of
  Jesus appearance.
• Thomas does not believe the story right away. He
  wants to see what they had seen (his hands) and
  to put his finger into the nailmarks, and more,
  to put not just his finger but his hand into his
  side.
• This seems too much for the asking. What if Jesus
  does not appear again? Thomas would have lost
  that wonderful opportunity for ever.
• At this point, the disciples are helpless to
  convince Thomas.

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Gospel Reading John 20,19-31

• Setting next Sunday, doors locked, appearance
  and greeting of peace
• 26 Now a week later his disciples were again
  inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came,
  although the doors were locked, and stood in
  their midst and said, "Peace be with you." 27
  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and
  see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into
  my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
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• The believing Thomas
• Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my
  God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to
  believe because you have seen me? Blessed are
  those who have not seen and have believed."
• The purpose of signs to believe and have life.
• 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence
  of (his) disciples that are not written in this
  book. 31 But these are written that you may
  (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the
  Son of God, and that through this belief you may
  have life in his name.

• In v.26, Jesus makes his second appearance with
  the same setting (Sunday, doors locked). At this
  time, Thomas is present. Jesus repeats his
  greetings of peace.
• In v.27, Jesus focuses on Thomas.
• Jesus invites him to touch him, if that is his
  need, in order to believe. Jesus is sensitive to
  his need. Jesus asks him to stop his incredulity.
• In v.28, Thomas expresses his deep faith, My
  Lord and my God.
• In v.29, Jesus immediately makes an important
  statement for us Blessed are those who have not
  seen and have believed.
• Vv.30-31 indicate that Jesus has done many other
  signs (appearances, miracles). What the author
  has written in his gospel has this purpose for
  us to believe as a result, to have life in Jesus.

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Reflections on the gospel reading

• To believe is not automatic. It is a journey and
  an interplay of time, space and community.
• We need time to believe. (Thomas took one week.
  Maybe we need more than one week.)
• We need space to believe. (locked room for the
  disciples, to be physically present to others,
  we need breathing space.)
• We need a community to believe. (eyewitnesses,
  believers since the beginning, they tell us what
  they see, we need sincere and prayerful
  believers).
• Faith in the resurrection of Jesus is not simply
  faith in the Risen Lord, but faith that Jesus is
  the Messiah, Christ, sent by God to save us, and
  this faith should bring us to our mission to
  forgive sinners, to bring souls to God.

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Tying the three readings and the Psalm

• The believers form a community (1st reading).
• Celebration is the response of the God-fearing
  believers to His power. (Psalm)
• Faith in the risen Lord makes one begotten of God
  / member of Gods family (2nd reading)
• To believe in the Risen Lord is a journey and
  getting out of your way (fears) to do your
  mission of forgiveness (gospel)

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How to develop your homily / sharing

• We must talk about the meaning of the
  resurrection of Jesus, based on the 3 readings.
• The 1st reading talks about the early Christian
  believers.
• The individual believers form a community.
• As a sign of belongingness, they give up their
  properties, to help the poorer members.
• The gap between the rich and the poor is
  narrowed.
• Our Christian faith is a call to justice, social
  justice at that.
• Without a sense of fraternal responsibility,
  faith in the risen Lord does not make sense.

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• The 2nd reading talks about being a begotten son
  of God through the belief (in the resurrection of
  Jesus).
• Our identity as children of God is not to be
  taken lightly.
• As Gods children, we take care to do his
  commandments.
• There should be no command that is hard to do.
• We can do everything if we believe in the meaning
  of our sonship.

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• In the gospel, we are asked to let go of our
  undue demands before we believe in God.
• We pray that we are there when God manifests
  himself to us.
• We facilitate Gods coming to us.
• We will miss a lot if we are absent from our
  communities and not active in the Church.
• We should not be content with reports only, if we
  are given opportunities to have first hand
  experiences.

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• As pastors, we pay particular attention to the
  difficulty of some Christians.
• We have to give them time, space and a support
  group.
• We have to admit that there is a crisis of faith
  among many Catholics, also crisis of commitment.
  Their faith are shaken because
• Someone tells them that they are wrong in their
  faith (like when the born agains come to them).
• Their source of hope (for their survival) gets
  sick or dies or goes away without assurance of
  support.
• Conflict with the parish priest or a religious.
  One is scandalized.

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• The faith in the resurrection of Jesus should
  give us hope, all the more, when we are in
  crisis.
• The thought of the resurrection should sustain
  our sanity in times of afflictions.
• The resurrection of Jesus should make us look
  forward to our own personal resurrections here
  and now and in the life after.
• Not to believe in the resurrection is a spiritual
  suicide.
• Everything becomes meaningless. You sentence
  yourself to die and you die before your physical
  death.

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• In our families and communities, there should be
  no place for disbelief and despair.
• Those who are unruly, destructive in their speech
  and are unforgiving, must be reminded that they
  are not doing right.
• Those who are asking difficult questions (on
  faith and morals) to the wrong people must be
  told that they should take courage to approach
  those who know.
• Learn to be present. Dont be absent from
  important activities, like meetings and decision
  making. What other people say is already
  filtered. You will never know the full story and
  whole truth.

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• The eucharist is a sacrament that reminds us of
  Jesus continued presence among us.
• In the eucharist, Jesus continues to manifest
  (appear) to us in the form of bread and wine.
• In the eucharist, we personally approach Jesus.
• In the eucharist, we express our faith that Jesus
  is alive and he is here with us to enliven us and
  animate us in our mission.

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Our Context of Sin and Grace

• Skepticism
• Doubting
• Contented with hearsay
• Unforgiving
• No sense of hope
• No sense of a better future
• Resigned to miserable conditions
• Weak faith

• Has space and time for others
• Support of the community
• Has fighting spirit
• Perked up by high hopes
• Does not lose hope easily
• Trust in Gods mercy
• Has ability to forgive
• Mission

The End
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Suggested Songs

• Jesus I Love You
• I Love You All
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vqxaP-9mLXCE