Joining the Company of Believers

04-03-2016Weekly Reflection

What will help you to believe? Today’s scripture readings tell of faith and doubt. They offer stories “recorded to help you believe,” as the passage from John’s Gospel (20:31) remarks today. There is an urgency about this. On this Second Sunday of Easter we are challenged to join the company of believers—countless men and women who witnessed the power of the apostles’ faith.

There is no doubt that this power comes from Jesus Christ. The second reading, from the book of Revelation, reports John’s mystical vision of the Son of Man, who proclaims, “Once I was dead, but now I live” (Revelation 1:18). The Gospel gathers everyone but Thomas to see the Risen Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit from Him. Like Thomas, we who have come along later must have faith so that we can have life.