The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider how we respond to events that challenge us to go beyond what our five senses accept as reality.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles proclaims Signs and Wonders of the Apostles Mission.
* [5:12–16] This, the third summary portraying the Jerusalem community, underscores the Twelve as its bulwark, especially because of their charismatic power to heal the sick; cf. Acts 2:42–47; 4:32–37. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 118 is a thanksgiving liturgy.
* [Psalm 118] A thanksgiving liturgy accompanying a procession of the king and the people into the Temple precincts. After an invocation in the form of a litany (Ps 118:1–4), the psalmist (very likely speaking in the name of the community) describes how the people confidently implored God’s help (Ps 118:5–9) when hostile peoples threatened its life (Ps 118:10–14); vividly God’s rescue is recounted (Ps 118:15–18). Then follows a possible dialogue at the Temple gates between the priests and the psalmist as the latter enters to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice (Ps 118:19–25). Finally, the priests impart their blessing (Ps 118:26–27), and the psalmist sings in gratitude (Ps 118:28–29).
* [118:22] The stone the builders rejected: a proverb: what is insignificant to human beings has become great through divine election. The “stone” may originally have meant the foundation stone or capstone of the Temple. The New Testament interpreted the verse as referring to the death and resurrection of Christ (Mt 21:42; Acts 4:11; cf. Is 28:16 and Rom 9:33; 1 Pt 2:7). (Psalms, PSALM 118 | USCCB, n.d.)
The reading from the Book of Revelation proclaims the First Vision.
* [1:9–20] In this first vision, the seer is commanded to write what he sees to the seven churches (Rev 1:9–11). He sees Christ in glory, whom he depicts in stock apocalyptic imagery (Rev 1:12–16), and hears him describe himself in terms meant to encourage Christians by emphasizing his victory over death (Rev 1:17–20). (Revelation, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of John describes Jesus Appearance to the Disciples and later to Thomas.
* [20:22] This action recalls Gn 2:7, where God breathed on the first man and gave him life; just as Adam’s life came from God, so now the disciples’ new spiritual life comes from Jesus. Cf. also the revivification of the dry bones in Ez 37. This is the author’s version of Pentecost. Cf. also the note on Jn 19:30.
* [20:23] The Council of Trent defined that this power to forgive sins is exercised in the sacrament of penance. See Mt 16:19; Mt 18:18.
* [20:28] My Lord and my God: this forms a literary inclusion with the first verse of the gospel: “and the Word was God.”
* [20:29] This verse is a beatitude on future generations; faith, not sight, matters.
* [20:30–31] These verses are clearly a conclusion to the gospel and express its purpose. While many manuscripts read come to believe, possibly implying a missionary purpose for John’s gospel, a small number of quite early ones read “continue to believe,” suggesting that the audience consists of Christians whose faith is to be deepened by the book; cf. Jn 19:35. (John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)
Jim Caime, S.J. is not surprised that Thomas doubted. Belief isn’t just accepting a story. It’s about living it. And that kind of life leaves marks.
The ache of grief, the fatigue of caring, the heartbreak of watching others suffer. The daily effort to stay tender in a world that rewards hardness. The vulnerability of forgiving, of staying, of showing up again and again. These are not signs of failure. They’re signs that love has taken root in us.
And yet…some days, I am weary. I could just weep. The struggle isn’t over—it may just be beginning. But even then, Jesus comes. Not after we’ve figured it all out, but right in the middle of the mess. He comes through locked doors. He breathes peace. He shows his wounds. And he invites us to believe—not because it all makes sense, but because love still lives. (Caime, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “Touching the Flesh, He Invokes the Word,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"But when Jesus showed Thomas the very places where he had his doubts, Thomas exclaimed, "My Lord and my God." He touched his flesh, he proclaimed his divinity. What did he touch? The body of Christ. Was the body of Christ the divinity of Christ? The divinity of Christ was the Word; the humanity of Christ was soul and flesh. Thomas could not touch the soul, but he could perceive it, because the body that had been dead was moving about alive. But that Word is subject neither to change nor to contact, it neither regresses nor progresses, neither fails nor flourishes, because in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. That is what Thomas proclaimed. He touched the flesh, he invoked the Word, because the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." (excerpt from Sermon 145A) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Revelation 1:9-13, 17-19 Jesus’ response to John is perfect for today’s celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday: “Do not be afraid” (Revelation 1:17). He didn’t tell John that there was no reason to fear; he touched him, offered a word of encouragement, and raised him up. That expression of love and intimacy overcame John’s fears and enabled him to stand before his glorious Lord. That’s what mercy is all about! It’s the perfect love of God, which “drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).
We can experience that mercy, too. Jesus knows that in the light of his glory, we are all frail and flawed. He knows that in the light of his truth, we often doubt and distrust. He knows we are not worthy to come to him on our own merits. Yet in his power and holiness and glory, he is patient with us. As he did for Thomas, he sees our weakness and shores up our faith. As he did for John, he calms our fearful hearts and assures us of his love.
So don’t be afraid to come to Jesus today. Don’t be afraid to let him see you as you truly are. Come and hear him say, “Do not be afraid.”
“Jesus, thank you for the depths of your mercy!” (Meditation on Revelation 1:9-13, 17-19, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the fame that comes to Peter through cure of sickness in the second book of Luke’s testimony, the Acts of the Apostles. The author identified as John in Revelation has a different theology and style from the author of John’s Gospel. Friar Jude reminds us that coming to faith from doubt is a powerful path.
Brian McLaren and guests explore how different ways of relating to nature can inspire new approaches to reality. He uses the language of friendship and respect to describe his own relationship with nature. We have a term for people who don’t respect boundaries: We call them narcissists. They’re always impeding and crossing boundaries to take advantage of us. We humans tend to have a narcissistic relationship with our fellow creatures, but there’s an option for generous friendship that creates a kind of reverence, respect, and enjoyment.
I think this is one of our real struggles with the natural world, of which we are a part. We’re so used to being in control of things that when the natural world demands legitimate respect from us, we think it’s being hostile. This is part of our current life curriculum as human beings—to learn appropriate respect after centuries and centuries of domination. It’s parallel to what people with privilege need to learn—whether it’s white privilege, male privilege, or the privilege of the rich. Privileged people are so used to acting in domineering ways that when you ask them to show proper respect, they feel they’re being deprived or persecuted. But this respect is something we need and it’s a matter of survival right now for us to learn it. [2] (McLaren, n.d.)
Our appreciation of the centrality of mercy to the work of Jesus followers is highlighted by the texts today and our contemplation of the life and ministry of Pope Francis.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/5?12
Caime, J. (2025, April 27). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042725.html
John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/2 0?19
McLaren, B. (n.d.). Seeing Nature Differently. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/seeing-nature-differently/
Meditation on Revelation 1:9-13, 17-19. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/27/1263066/
Psalms, PSALM 118 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/118?2
Revelation, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/1?9
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Unless I See - I Will Not Believe. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr27
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