Daily Readings - Sun Apr 11 2021

³²Then the multitude of believers were of one heart and one soul. Neither did anyone say that any of the things that he possessed were his own, but all things were common to them³³And with great power, the Apostles were rendering testimony to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. And great grace was in them all³⁴And neither was anyone among them in need. For as many as were owners of fields or houses, selling these, were bringing the proceeds of the things that they were selling³⁵and were placing it before the feet of the Apostles. Then it was divided to each one, just as he had need

1 John

Chapter 5

¹Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And everyone who loves God, who provides that birth, also loves him who has been born of God²In this way, we know that we love those born of God: when we love God and do his commandments³For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not heavy⁴For all that is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world: our faith⁵Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God⁶This is the One who came by water and blood: Jesus Christ. Not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit is the One who testifies that the Christ is the Truth

John

Chapter 20

¹⁹Then, when it was late on the same day, on the first of the Sabbaths, and the doors were closed where the disciples were gathered, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and he said to them: "Peace to you.²⁰And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and side. And the disciples were gladdened when they saw the Lord²¹Therefore, he said to them again: "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.²²When he had said this, he breathed on them. And he said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit²³Those whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and those whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.²⁴Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus arrived²⁵Therefore, the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I will see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the place of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will not believe.²⁶And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas was with them. Jesus arrived, though the doors had been closed, and he stood in their midst and said, "Peace to you.²⁷Next, he said to Thomas: "Look at my hands, and place your finger here; and bring your hand close, and place it at my side. And do not choose to be unbelieving, but faithful.²⁸Thomas responded and said to him, "My Lord and my God.²⁹Jesus said to him: "You have seen me, Thomas, so you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.³⁰Jesus also accomplished many other signs in the sight of his disciples. These have not been written in this book³¹But these things have been written, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so that, in believing, you may have life in his name

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the unity of faith, the power of love, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community living in harmony, sharing their possessions, and caring for one another. This was not just a social experiment but a spiritual reality rooted in their shared faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, testified to the power of God’s love, and the community responded with generosity and trust. This passage reminds us that true unity comes from living as one in Christ, where love transcends individualism and materialism. The second reading from 1 John deepens this theme by emphasizing that love is not just a feeling but a commitment to living according to God’s commandments. John writes that faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God overcomes the world. This victory is not through power or might but through the humble, selfless love that flows from God. The reading reminds us that our faith is not just intellectual assent but a way of life that reflects God’s love in the world. When we keep God’s commandments, we demonstrate that we are born of God and that His love dwells in us. In the Gospel, Jesus appears to His disciples after the Resurrection, offering them peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This scene is both a moment of reassurance and a call to mission. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on the disciples, empowering them to forgive sins and to continue His work in the world. The story of Thomas, who doubts until he sees and touches Jesus’ wounds, reminds us that faith often requires us to move beyond our fears and uncertainties. Jesus’ words to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” challenge us to trust in God’s presence even when we cannot see or fully understand. These readings together call us to live as people of faith and love. Like the early Christian community, we are to share our resources and care for one another. Like the disciples, we are to receive the Holy Spirit and be bold in witnessing to the Resurrection. And like Thomas, we are to move beyond doubt to a deeper trust in God’s plan. Let us ask for the grace to live in unity, to love without condition, and to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us. May we, like the disciples, be transformed by the Risen Christ and bear witness to His love in the world.