"Blessed are those who have not seen and believed."
This week's readings remind us that the Easter season is in reference to the celebration of the RESSURRECTION of Jesus, and that we have to do something about it. The readings are full of messages about the CALL and the EVIDENCE TO THE MISSION.
The book of Acts tells of how "with great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus."
The first letter of John commands the children of God to love.
And in the gospel, Jesus sends his disciples with his Spirit into a ministry of mercy.
When people read or hear this story of Jesus, they tend to focus on the character of Thomas and his relationship with the other disciples and with Christ himself. For some, Thomas is the only one who dared to doubt, while for others he is a hero of faith for sticking to his role and believing only after having seen, touched and heard the Lord.
The last point of the story, however, addresses his future audience: That future believers, who are not able to say that they have "seen the Lord" or touch his wounds in the same way as the disciples, are equally blessed. ; they too "believe that Jesus is the Christ," despite not seeing or touching him. Jesus "sends" us all with the same Spirit with which he sent the initial and original team of apostles. Even the power to forgive is for the entire church, the "sending them" and the "to those who forgive their sins" is directed to the entire community. The call of faith has always been a great privilege and a great responsibility as well.
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