Doubt no longer but believe

Second Sunday of Easter Year A, 19th April 2020

Gospel John 20: 19–31

In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you,’ and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’ After saying this he breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’

Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord,’ he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe’. Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’, he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand: put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God’. Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’

There are many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.

"My Lord and my God!" Note the locked doors.
St Thomas is a good patron saint for us right now!

Reflection - from St Beuno's Outreach

I read the Gospel slowly. Using my imagination I enter into the scene, standing with the disciples in the upper room, cut off and isolated as many are just now. What is the mood of the gathering?
I wonder... what are they afraid of?

What are my own fears at this  me of global crisis?
How do I feel when I listen to yet more alarming statistics on the news?

I imagine Jesus suddenly being present, standing alongside me... looking deeply into my being; knowing, loving and accepting me just as I am. Even in my doubt, Jesus is sending me to spread his love.

What words of encouragement do I need to hear Jesus speak to me?
What do I want to say to Jesus?

I close my prayer – like Thomas, with my own declaration of belief.