Dear sisters and brothers, We must ask the gift of faith if we don't have it, if we are always skeptical. We cannot do much if we lack faith in the Risen Lord. Fr. Cielo

1. Welcome to our Bible Study
2nd Sunday of Easter B
Divine Mercy Sunday
12 April 2015
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st Reading: Acts 4:32-35
 32 The community of believers was of one heart
and mind, and no one claimed that any of his
possessions was his own, but they had
everything in common. 33 With great power the
apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the
Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them
all. 34 There was no needy person among
them, for those who owned property or houses
would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale,
35 and put them at the feet of the apostles, and
they were distributed to each according to need.

3. 1st Reading: Acts 4:32-35
 32 The community of believers was of one heart
and mind, and no one claimed that any of his
possessions was his own, but they had
everything in common. 33 With great power the
apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the
Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them
all. 34 There was no needy person among
them, for those who owned property or houses
would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale,
35 and put them at the feet of the apostles, and
they were distributed to each according to need.
The focus is the community of believers of the resurrection.

4. 1st Reading: Acts 4:32-35
 32 The community of believers was of one heart
and mind, and no one claimed that any of his
possessions was his own, but they had
everything in common. 33 With great power the
apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the
Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them
all. 34 There was no needy person among
them, for those who owned property or houses
would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale,
35 and put them at the feet of the apostles, and
they were distributed to each according to need.
The characteristics of the community of believers are underlined.

5. 1st Reading: Acts 4:32-35
Community
 32 The community of believers was of one heart and
mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions
was his own, but they had everything in common.
Apostles bearing witness
 33 With great power the apostles bore witness to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was
accorded them all.
Community
 34 There was no needy person among them, for those
who owned property or houses would sell them, bring
the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put them at the feet of
the apostles, and they were distributed to each
according to need.
A simple outline!

6. 1st Reading: Acts 4:32-35
The community
 32 The community of believers was
 of one heart and mind,
 And no one claimed that any of his
possessions was his own but they had
everything in common.
The apostles
 33 With great power (of the Holy Spirit) the
apostles bore witness to the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was
accorded them all
The community
 34 There was no needy person among
them,
Explanation
 for those who owned property or houses
(the rich)
 would sell them,
 bring the proceeds of the sale,
 35 And put them at the feet of the apostles,
(recognized authority of the apostles)
 and they were distributed to each
according to need.
Commentary
 The first reading describes the life of
the first Christian community. (vv.32
and 34)
 It also describes the life of the apostles.
(v. 33)
 They bear witness to the resurrection.
 Favor is given to them all.
 The community of believers is
 United (one heart and mind)
 There is equality. There is no rich no
poor (Detached and generous: They sell
their assets and entrust to the apostles)
 Communitarian
 V.34 describes concretely how
everyone becomes equal (no one in
need)
 The rich take the initiative to be poor;
they sell and give to the apostles, who
in turn distribute.
 Not only did the apostles give witness
to the resurrection, but also they
distribute property.

7. Reflections on the 1st reading
 The belief in the resurrection builds community
life.
 This belief urges each individual believer to give
up something precious for the community.
 Christians who believe in the resurrection become
more generous and detached from their
belongings.
 They feel responsible for their poor brethren, by
having less or nothing.
 As Christians, do we feel responsible to the poor
in our parishes and society?
 What are our concrete gestures?

8. 2nd Reading: 1 John 5:1-6
 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is
begotten by God, and everyone who loves the father
loves (also) the one begotten by him. 2 In this way we
know that we love the children of God when we love God
and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is
this, that we keep his commandments. And his
commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whoever is
begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that
conquers the world is our faith. 5 Who (indeed) is the
victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus
is the Son of God? 6 This is the one who came through
water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by
water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and
the Spirit is truth.

9. 2nd Reading: 1 John 5:1-6
 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is
begotten by God, and everyone who loves the father
loves (also) the one begotten by him. 2 In this way we
know that we love the children of God when we love God
and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is
this, that we keep his commandments. And his
commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whoever is
begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that
conquers the world is our faith. 5 Who (indeed) is the
victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus
is the Son of God? 6 This is the one who came through
water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by
water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and
the Spirit is truth.
The focus is being son of God.

10. 2nd Reading: 1 John 5:1-6
 1 Everyone who believes that
Jesus is the Christ is
begotten by God, and
everyone who loves the
father loves (also) the one
begotten by him. 2 In this
way we know that we love
the children of God when we
love God and obey his
commandments. 3 For the
love of God is this, that we
keep his commandments.
And his commandments are
not burdensome, 4 for
whoever is begotten by God
conquers the world. And the
victory that conquers the
world is our faith. 5 Who
(indeed) is the victor over the
world but the one who
believes that Jesus is the
Son of God? 6 This is the
one who came through water
and blood, Jesus Christ, not
by water alone, but by water
and blood. The Spirit is the
one that testifies, and the
Spirit is truth.
Commentary
 The whole passage is centered on
being a child of God (begotten).
 You are a child of God if
 You believe that Jesus is Christ, v .1
 You love God (Father), vv.1-2
 You keep his commandments, vv.2-3
 You conquer the world, v.4
 You are a victor if you believe
Jesus is the Son of God. V.5
 Victory has reference to the
resurrection of Jesus.
 Jesus Christ himself becomes the
son of God through water and
blood (which comes out of him when he
is crucified).
 The Spirit testifies the sonship of
Jesus and ours.

11. Reflections on the 2nd reading
 An important element of our Christian faith is that
Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ.
 Christ is the one sent (anointed, assigned,
commissioned, authorized) by God to save us through
his passion, death and resurrection.
 We become children of God because we believe
that Jesus is Christ. (Christ is not a surname.)
 To make good our status as children of God, we
must keep God’s commandments, which are not
burdensome at all according to the reading.
 As children of God, we too can conquer the world
by not conforming to its materialistic values.

12. Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31
 19 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." 20 When he had said this, he
showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw
the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father
has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on
them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive
are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." 24 Thomas,
called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25
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 nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." 26 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." 27 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." 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord
and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you
have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." 30
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not
written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may (come to) believe
that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you
may have life in his name.

13. Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31
Setting: Sunday, doors locked, appearance and greetings of peace
 19 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." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his
side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again,
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had
said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins
you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
The unbelieving Thomas
 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25
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 nailmarks and put my
hand into his side, I will not believe."
Setting: next Sunday, doors locked, appearance and greeting of peace
 26 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." 27 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." 28
The believing Thomas
 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have
you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen
and have believed."
The purpose of signs: to believe and have life.
 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written
in this book. 31 But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the
Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

14. Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31
Setting: Sunday, doors
locked, appearance and
greetings of peace
 19 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."
20 When he had said this, he
showed them his hands and
his side. The disciples
rejoiced when they saw the
Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them
again, "Peace be with you. As
the Father has sent me, so I
send you." 22 And when he
had said this, he breathed on
them and said to them,
"Receive the holy Spirit. 23
Whose sins you forgive are
forgiven them, and whose
sins you retain are retained."
Commentary
 V.19 provides the setting of Jesus’
appearance to the disciples. When he
appears, he greets them with the greeting
of peace.
 We presume the word “disciples” refer
both to the apostles and disciples.
 In v.20, Jesus seems to prove that he is
real, by showing them his hands and side
(how about his feet?).
 At this point, there is no reaction yet from
the disciples.
 In v.20b, we get a reaction. They rejoice.
 In v.21, Jesus repeats his greeting of
peace, but adds something: “I send you…”
They too shall do what Christ did.
 In v.22, Jesus makes them receive the
Holy Spirit, which gives them the power to
forgive or retain sins.
 What is the reason for forgiving?

15. Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31
The unbelieving
Thomas
 24 Thomas, called Didymus,
one of the Twelve, was not
with them when Jesus
came. 25 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 nailmarks and put my
hand into his side, I will not
believe."
 V.24 indicates that Thomas, one of the
disciples, is not around when Jesus
appears.
 In v.25, the disciples immediately
inform him of Jesus’ appearance.
 Thomas does not believe the story
right away. He wants to see what they
had seen (his hands) and to put his
finger into the nailmarks, and more, to
put not just his finger but his hand
into his side.
 This seems too much for the asking.
What if Jesus does not appear again?
Thomas would have lost that
wonderful opportunity for ever.
 At this point, the disciples are
helpless to convince Thomas.

16. Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31
Setting: next Sunday, doors locked,
appearance and greeting of peace
 26 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."
27 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." 28
The believing Thomas
 Thomas answered and said to him,
"My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus
said to him, "Have you come to
believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen
and have believed."
The purpose of signs: to believe and have
life.
 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in
the presence of (his) disciples that are
not written in this book. 31 But these
are written that you may (come to)
believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the
Son of God, and that through this
belief you may have life in his name.
 In v.26, Jesus makes his second
appearance with the same setting
(Sunday, doors locked). At this time,
Thomas is present. Jesus repeats his
greetings of peace.
 In v.27, Jesus focuses his attention on
Thomas.
 Jesus invites him to touch him, if that is his
need, in order to believe. Jesus is
sensitive to his need. Jesus asks him to
stop his incredulity.
 In v.28, Thomas expresses his deep faith,
“My Lord and my God.”
 In v.29, Jesus immediately makes an
important statement for us: “Blessed are
those who have not seen and have
believed.”
 Vv.30-31 indicate that Jesus has done
many other signs (appearances, miracles).
What the author has written in his gospel
has this purpose: for us to believe…
thence, to have life in Jesus

17. Reflections on the gospel reading
 To believe is not automatic. It is a journey and an
interplay of time, space and community.
 We need time to believe. (one week for Thomas. Maybe we
need more than one week.)
 We need space to believe. (locked room for the disciples,
to be physically present to others, we need breathing space.)
 We need a community to believe. (eyewitnesses,
believers since the beginning, they tell us what they see,
we need sincere and prayerful believers).
 Faith in the resurrection of Jesus is not simply
faith in the Risen Lord, but faith that Jesus is the
Messiah, Christ, sent by God to save us, and this
faith should bring us to our mission to forgive
sinners, to bring souls to God.

18. Tying the three readings
 The believers form a community (1st reading).
 Faith in the risen Lord makes one begotten of God /
member of God’s family (2nd reading)
 To believe in the Risen Lord is a journey and getting out
of your way (fears) to do your mission of forgiveness
(gospel)

19. How to develop your homily / sharing
 We must talk about the meaning of the
resurrection of Jesus, based on the 3 readings.
 The 1st reading talks about the early Christian
believers.
 The individual believers formed a community.
 As a sign of belongingness, they give up their
properties, to help the poorer members.
 The gap between the rich and the poor is
narrowed.
 Our Christian faith is a call to justice, social
justice at that.
 Without a sense of fraternal responsibility, faith
in the risen Lord does not make sense.

20.  The 2nd reading talks about being begotten
son of God through the belief (in the
resurrection of Jesus).
 Our identity as children of God is not to be
taken lightly.
 As God’s children, we take care to do his
commandments.
 There should be no command that is hard
to do.
 We can do everything if we believe in the
meaning of our sonship.

21.  In the gospel, we are asked to let go of our
undue demands before we believe in God.
 We pray that we are there when God
manifests himself to us.
 We facilitate God’s coming to us.
 In an absence, we can miss a lot.
 We should not be content with reports only,
if we are given opportunities to have first
hand experiences.

22.  As pastors, we pay particular attention to the
difficulty of some Christians.
 We have to give them time, space and a support
group.
 We have to admit that there is a crisis of faith
among many Catholics. Their faith are shaken
because:
 Somebody else tells them that they are wrong in their
faith (like when the born agains come to them).
 Their source of hope (for their survival) gets sick or dies
or goes away without assurance of support.
 Conflict with the parish priest or a religious. One is
scandalized.

23.  The faith in the resurrection of Jesus all the more
should give us hope when we are in crisis.
 The thought of the resurrection should sustain
our sanity in times of afflictions.
 The resurrection of Jesus should make us look
forward to our own personal resurrections here
and now and in the life after.
 Not to believe in the resurrection is a spiritual
suicide.
 Everything becomes meaningless. You sentence
yourself to die and you die before your physical
death.

24.  In our families and communities, there should no
place for disbelief and despair.
 Those who are unruly, destructive in their speech
and unforgiving must be reminded that they are
not doing right.
 Those who are asking difficult questions (on faith
and morals) to the wrong people must be told that
they take courage to approach those who know.
 Learn to be present. Don’t be absent from
important activities. What other people say is
already filtered. You will never know the full story.

25.  The eucharist is a sacrament that reminds
us of Jesus’ continued presence among us.
 In the eucharist, Jesus continues to
manifest (appear) to us in the form of bread
and wine.
 In the eucharist, we personally approach
Jesus.
 In the eucharist, we express our faith that
Jesus is alive and he is here with us to
enliven us and animate us in our mission.

26. Our Context
 Skepticism
 Doubting
 Contented with
hearsay
 Unforgiving
 No sense of hope
 No sense of a better
future
 Resigned to miserable
conditions
 Weak faith
 Has space and time for
others
 Support of the
community
 Has fighting spirit
 Perked up by high
hopes
 Does not lose hope
easily
 Trust in God’s mercy