HOMILIES

Dear Audience,
For better understanding of the spiritual message behind this homily I kindly remind you to first read and contemplate the biblical texts before reading or listening to my preaching - a human reflection on the Word of God!

Second Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Apr 19, 2020

1206

Listen Read

First Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (2:42-47)

The community of believers devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms of David (118:2-4,13-15,22-24)

(R) Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love is everlasting.

Let the house of Israel say, "His mercy endures forever." Let the house of Aaron say, "His mercy endures forever." Let those who fear the Lord say, "His mercy endures forever." (R)

I was hard pressed and was falling, but the Lord helped me. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and He has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just. (R)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. (R)

Second Reading

A reading from the First Letter of Saint Peter (1:3-9)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in His great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen Him you love Him; even though you do not see Him now yet believe in Him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Gospel

A reading from the Gospel according to John (20:19-31)

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." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 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 nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

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." 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." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you have life in his name.

(P) The Gospel of the Lord.
(R) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

Today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles is so simple even an average Christian, that is to say, anyone who has a pretty good grasp of the Bible, can clearly understand it. However, simple as it is, it gives a powerful message to all Christians. The writer, Luke talks about the life of the early Christian community, particularly the four elements that form the fundamental structure of a Christian community or family. He says, "The community of believers devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers", (2:42).

First, the early Christians devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching. What did the apostles teach? Of course, they taught about Jesus. However, at that time there was not any New Testament book as we have today which teaches us about Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, the letter of Paul to the Galatians written around 48-49 A.D. is widely considered to be the earliest book of the New Testament. So, the apostles used only their available sources, the Jewish scriptures or the Old Testament, written on the scrolls mainly in Hebrew, to speak about Jesus. And also they transmitted orally the many things that Jesus had taught them and told them to pass on to others. There were also no buildings or churches yet for them to gather and pray and preach the gospel of Jesus. As the apostles preached in market places, street corners and homes, people gathered round at their feet, listening to them and memorizing and meditating upon all the words and acts of Jesus. The most significant thing was that not only did the apostles desire to instruct all people in the word of God, but also the people wanted to hear God's word. Friends, have you come here today eagerly to hear the Word of God? Are you expecting God to speak to your heart today? How eager are you to read the scriptures? Jesus says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for whatever you please and you will get it", John (15:7). Yes, it is very important that we love the scriptures. But knowing and reading the Bible alone is not enough. Blessings come from delighting in it; meditating upon it and living by it. Therefore, let us eagerly read and listen to it whenever we have an opportunity to do so and gladly heed its warnings and admonitions in order to obtain the promise of Him abiding in us and us in Him. Even lost people desiring salvation turn to the Word of God. If we, who have been already baptized in His name, seek to find God in the Scriptures with an earnest heart, the Holy Spirit will surely reveal Him to us.

Second, the early Christians devoted themselves to the communal life. What does that mean? Communal life means to be everything to and for others and sharing with one another. The Greek word that Luke uses in this context is "koinonia" - the unity of hearts. He says, "All who believed were together and held all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need", (2:44). That is to say, the unity of the early Christian community was not only visible in their regular gatherings for worship and prayers, but also in the care and concern that they extended to the neediest members of the community.

Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians (8:2-3) testifies to the generosity of the early Christians in Macedonia, "Throughout continual ordeals of hardship, their unfailing joy and their intense poverty have overflowed in wealth of generosity on their part. I can testify that it was of their own accord that they made their gift, which was not merely as far as their resources would allow, but well beyond their resources". First, we are reminded of the wonderful truth that one does not have to have a lot to be able to give, but rather the desire to give that matters. An example of this we read in the Gospel of Mark (12:44) of a woman who gives only two copper coins, but like the Macedonians, she gives out of her "poverty". Second, sometimes one should be even willing to be deprived so others could benefit. Friends, if you are one of those faithful Christians who share your money and things with the needy, both within and outside the church, please continue to do so cheerfully, from the heart.

Third, the early Christians devoted themselves to the breaking of bread. In the New Testament "breaking of bread", refers to "the Holy Eucharist" or the Lord's Supper and to eating an ordinary meal. In each of these instances, the people thanked God before the bread was broken and the meal eaten. For instance, Jesus gave thanks to God before he multiplied the loaves and fishes. During the Last Supper Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it and gave it to his disciples. So also Luke says, "Everyday they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God", (2:46). The breaking of bread in the early Christian community was thus associated with the prayer of thanksgiving, and sharing and enjoying the blessings of God.

Friends, when we take part in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, let us first and foremost thank the Lord Jesus Christ for his presence among us through the sacrament and his Church. And let us also thank God always for the daily food. Meals are an important time to realize how blessed we are to have enough to eat, and so give God thanks. Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans (14:6) says, "The one who eats freely, eats in honor of the Lord, making his thanksgiving to God; and the one who does not, abstains from eating in honor of the Lord, making his thanksgiving to God". Friends, a grateful heart enables us to be at peace with Christ and with one another.

Fourth, the early Christians devoted themselves to prayer. They were persistent and consistent in their prayer. There were instances of places where they were praying and worshipping, being shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. It means God was there, that He both heard and answered their prayers. It means He filled them again with His Spirit. Friends, when we sit in prayer or go to church to pray and worship let us not focus on ourselves, our feelings, our likes and dislikes, small inconveniences and discomforts but rather on God in order for us to experience Him deeply and intimately.

Friends, let us read, hear, love and rejoice in the Word of God. Let us share our things with those in need. Let us thank and praise God for all the gifts. Let us pray and worship Him with all our heart, mind, body and soul.

(P) Amen.

God Bless You!

Content Options

to download the audio file Sign In » or Register ».
generate Google Translate Layout ».
share this homily via:

Top of Page

More Homilies this Month

Use the Prev or Next buttons to read or listen to the other homilies of the month.

« Prev Easter Sunday (Year A) Next » Third Sunday of Easter (Year A)