The Wonder of Adoration
Second Sunday of Easter 2021
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Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118; Colossians 3:1-4; Mark 16:1-7
Coming to belief is a mystery, and the Apostle Thomas demonstrates his steps from disbelief to belief wondrously. Two people can watch an incident on the nightly news and come away with two radically different conclusions about what just happened. Two others can look at statistics on the spread of COVID and the convention of wearing masks and arrive at two opposite opinions. We have heard stories of science deniers who solely believe in the power of faith, and it is perplexing to know how we arrive at the endings we make. What can be frightening is the certitude that people have about their inferences and perceptions, whereby one’s mind becomes as close as Doubting Thomas’s.
If two people cannot agree upon something scientifically viable so that the results might be in the same ballpark, how is it that so many people come to believe in the Resurrection? Certainly, the testimony and strength of argument from the ten disciples and the women made Thomas return to the Upper Room, but he declared that he must touch the wounds of the person who said he was the Christ in order to believe. In the end, he did not need it. In the end, his closed stance gave way to an open stance and he uttered what are perhaps the most quoted lines from an Apostle, “My Lord and My God.” It is miraculous that Thomas comes to believe in the Resurrection when so many others doubted it.
The key for our faith and for obtaining wisdom is to remain open and this is the gift he imparts to his friends in the Upper Room when he breathes upon them because he instructs them to “Receive the Holy Spirit,” which is an act of openness. Jesus blesses them with Peace, which is our proper posture for prayer, and it is also the proper predisposition for obtaining knowledge, for if we are in a place of balance and openness, we will make prudent decisions that resonate with our informed consciences. It is important to know that we may make wrong conclusions. We need to find that center first, and then listen to the presented information with equanimity. Our practice of breathing, which imitates that of the Risen Jesus, will hold us in good stead.
As we make decisions in our faith, it is important to listen to church tradition, the particulars of our unique situation, and the primacy of conscience that we are always forming, and to ask for the Spirit to guide and enlighten our understanding. Our prayer is an important aspect in our remaining open to surprises. Just look at Thomas. Also, look at the disciples. The Resurrection was an unusual event that took some time to understand. When we are open, we can live in a world of mystery, where life is engaging and full of possibilities. We cannot live Easter without entering into mystery, which gives us the ability to wonder, to contemplate, to listen to the silence, to be able to adore. Without adoration, we cannot enter into mystery. We cannot enter into Easter. We adore when we speak the words of Thomas, “My Lord and My God.”
Scripture for Daily Mass
Monday: (Acts 4) Peter and John return to their people after being released from the religious authorities. They prayed about their ordeal and the whole house shook and all were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Tuesday: (Acts 4) The community of believers was of one heart and mind and together they bore witness to the Resurrection. Joseph, called Barnabas, sold a property and give money to the Apostles.
Wednesday: (Acts 5) The high priest with the Sadducees jailed the Apostles but during the night the Lord opened the prison doors and the Apostles returned to the Temple area to preach.
Thursday: (Acts 5) The Apostles were brought forth again during their arrest and they were reminded that they were forbidden to preach. Peter said on behalf of the Apostles that they are to obey God, and not men.
Friday (Acts 5) Gamaliel, the Pharisee, urges wisdom for the Sanhedrin declaring that if this is of God, it cannot be stopped, but if it is of men, it will certainly die out.
Saturday (Acts 6) The number of disciples grew. The Hellenists complained to the Hebrews that their widows were being neglected. The Twelve decided it was right to select seven reputable men (deacons) to take care of the daily distribution while they continued with prayer and the ministry of the word. Meanwhile the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly. Even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Gospel:
Monday: (John 3) Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews comes to Jesus wondering about where he is able to do the great miracles and teachings. He tries to understand.
Tuesday: (John 3) Jesus answered Nicodemus saying, “you must be born from above” to accept this testimony.
Wednesday (John 3) God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but that the world might be saved through him.
Thursday (John 3) Jesus explains that he was come from above and speaks of the things that are from above. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.
Friday (John 6) Near a Passover feast, Jesus miraculously feeds the hungry crowds as a good shepherd would. He reminds the people that the actions in his earthly life were precursors of the meal that they are to share. They are to eat his body and drink his blood.
Saturday (John 6) Jesus then departs to the other side of the sea. When a storm picks up, he walks on the turbulent waves and instructs them not to be afraid. He is with them. He has power over the natural and supernatural world.
Saints of the Week
April 11: Stanislaus, bishop and martyr (1030-1079), was born near Krakow, Poland and studied canon law and theology before he renounced his family fortunes and became a priest. Elected bishop, he oppose the bellicose and immoral King Boleslaus II who often oppressed the peasantry. He excommunicated the king who ordered his murder but the soldiers refused to carry it out. The king murdered him by his own hands, but then had to flee into exile.
April 13: Martin I, pope, (6th century – 655), an Umbrian was elected pope during the Byzantine papacy. One of his earliest acts was to convene the Lateran Council that dealt with the heretical Monothelitism. Martin was abducted by Emperor Constans II and died in the Crimean peninsula.
This Week in Jesuit History
- April 11, 1573. Pope Gregory XIII suggested to the Fathers who were assembling for the Third General Congregation that it might be well for them to choose a General of some nationality other than Spanish. Later he expressed his satisfaction that they had elected Everard Mercurian, a Belgian.
- April 12, 1671. Pope Clement X canonized Francis Borgia, the 3rd general of the Society.
- April 13, 1541. Ignatius was elected general in a second election, after having declined the results of the first election several days earlier.
- April 14, 1618. The father of John Berchmans is ordained a priest. John himself was still a Novice.
- April 15, 1610. The death of Fr. Robert Parsons, the most active and indefatigable of all the leaders of the English Catholics during the reign of Elizabeth I.
- April 16, 1767. Pope Clement XIII wrote to Charles III of Spain imploring him to cancel the decree of expulsion of the Society from Spain, issued on Aprilil 2nd. The Pope's letter nobly defends the innocence of the Society.
- April 17, 1540. The arrival in Lisbon of St Francis Xavier and Fr. Simon Rodriguez. Both were destined for India, but the King retained the latter in Portugal.
