Acts 2:42-47/ Psalm 118/ 1 Peter 1:3-9/ John 20:19-31
Theme: Easter is a community celebration.
Last week Sunday, I told you that the resurrection of Jesus does not end his earthly ministry but opens up for us a new dimension to his ministry namely a continuation of his work. Thus, the readings from the Acts of the Apostles take the place of the Old Testament readings during the Easter season in each of the cycles A, B, and C. Such readings are appropriate because they show the continued work of the risen Christ in his Church. The Liturgy, therefore, is the public worship of the people of God, not private worship. Today is also Divine Mercy Sunday, a day set aside by St. Pope John Paul II of blessed memory to reflect on the mercy of God. Let us, therefore, drink deep from this fountain of God’s mercy at our disposal.
One of the outcomes of the Resurrection is the formation of a community of believers. This is to reiterate the fact that the Easter events are not an individual affair but a community one. Therefore, no one can be an effective Christian in isolation. The Early Church did more than make converts; they also made disciples. A disciple is one who sits at the feet of his master to learn.
In the first reading, Luke presents us with the features of the new community of believers constituted as a consequence of the resurrection. Having preached repentance and forgiveness of sins, about three thousand persons were added to the apostolic community. This new community “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Today, as a community of believers, can we say that we are devoted to the teachings of the apostles; to fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers? These things form the basis of any Christian community.
Therefore, if we cannot find them in our community, then our communities are non-existent; they have no roots. The Church’s prayer is, therefore, founded on apostolic faith; authenticated by charity; nourished in the Eucharist.
Furthermore, “all who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all as any had need” (Acts 2:44-45). I must emphasize that the kind of fellowship (in Greek Koinonia) that existed among the Early Church means more than “Being together.” It means “having in common” and probably refers to sharing of material goods. This was not a form of modern communism, for the program was totally voluntary, temporary, and motivated by love.
Moreover, “day by day as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts praising God and having the goodwill of all people” (Acts 2:46-47). We are told that they not only met in the temple but in their homes. This brings out clearly the need for Basic Christian Communities (BCC). Our homes must truly reflect what Vatican II calls the Domestic Church where the Word of God is shared; faith matters are discussed and above all where food is shared.
The Gospel reading brings out clearly the beginnings of the Early Church. After Jesus’ death, they locked themselves up for fear of the Jews. For what they were doing, we are not told. But at least, they recognize that in unity lies their strength. They were together. It was in the togetherness that the greatest thing happened to them, “Jesus came and stood among them and said “Peace be with you” (John 20:19b). The kind of peace Jesus gave his disciples is a peace that renewed their faith in the person of Jesus and drove away all fears, useless worries and anxieties.
Again, it was when they were together that they received the great commission. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you. When he said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:21-23). This is where the Church received the power to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The power to forgive sins was not given to an individual but to the Church. Thus those who are questioning the authenticity of this sacrament must assess their intentions and avail themselves of it.
Why was Thomas not with the other disciples? Was he disappointed that the resurrection was a fiasco? When we are discouraged, and defeated, we need our friends all the more. Solitude only feeds discouragement and helps it to grow into self-pity, which is even worse. Thomas is a good warning to all of us not to miss meeting together as a community of believers (Hebrews 10:25).
Because Thomas was not there when Jesus came, he missed seeing Jesus Christ, hearing His words of peace, and receiving His commission and gift of spiritual life. He had to endure a week of fear and unbelief when he could have been experiencing joy and peace! Remember Thomas when you are tempted to stay home from Church. You never know what special blessing you might miss!
For the Christian, every Sunday is the Day of the Resurrection or the Day of the Lord and the like. We cannot afford to miss the meeting of the assembly. Just as the Early Church did in the past, in the celebration of the Mass we devote ourselves to apostles’ teachings and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Doubt no more, because as John puts it “… But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that through believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Let us not have an unbelieving heart that turns us away from the Lord (Hebrews 3:12).
As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, Jesus wishes to bear with our doubts, our betrayals, and our sign of faithlessness just as he did with the disciples. He invites us to drink deep into the fountain of mercy which his resurrection brings us.
In conclusion, the Christians you meet in the book of Acts of the Apostles were not content to meet once a week for “services as usual.” They met daily (Acts 2:46), cared daily (Acts 6:1), won souls daily (Acts 2:47), searched the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11), and increased in number daily (Acts 2:47). Their faith was a day-to-day reality, not a once-a-week routine. Why? Because the risen Christ was a living reality to them and his resurrection power was at work in their lives through the Spirit. The promise is still good: “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). Have you called? Have you trusted Jesus Christ to save you?