Second Sunday after Easter By Fr. Vally de Souza SJ

Second Sunday after Easter – 1 May 2011

A NEW BEGINNING  -  John 20, 19-31

 (Original from José Antonio Pagola translated in English By Fr. Vally de Souza SJ)

Fr. Vally de Souza SJ

Terrified by the execution of Jesus, the disciples take refuge in a familiar house. They are reunited once  more, but Jesus is no longer with them. No one can fill the vacuum in the community. Jesus is missing. They cannot hear his words full of passion. They cannot see him tenderly blessing the unfortunate ones. Whom will they follow now? 

   Night is falling in Jerusalem as well as in their hearts. No one can console them in their sadness. Slowly fear takes hold of them all, but they do not have Jesus to strengthen their spirits. The only move that brings a certain security is to ”close the doors”. No one now thinks of taking to the road to proclaim the kingdom of God or heal life. How can they spread the Good News without Jesus?  

   John the evangelist describes in a marvelous manner the transformation in the disciples when Jesus, vibrant with life, presents himself in their midst. The Risen One is again right there with his followers. This is how it has to be always. Everything is possible with him: to free themselves of fear, to have the doors opened, to get evangelization under way.

   According to the story, peace is what Jesus first infuses into his community. There is no reproach for having abandoned him, no complaint, no disapproval. Only peace and joy. The disciples feel his creative breath. Everything begins anew. Driven by his Spirit they will continue to work for centuries for the same salvific project the Father entrusted Jesus with.

   What the church needs today is not only religious reforms and calls to unity. We need to see in our communities “a new beginning” starting with the living presence of Jesus in our midst. He alone must occupy the centre of the Church; he alone can bring about unity; he alone can renew our hearts. 

   Our own efforts and work will not be enough. It is Jesus who can bring about a change of horizon, freedom from fear and suspicion, the new atmosphere of peace and serenity we need so much to be able to open doors, and to share the Gospel with the men and women of our times.

   We must, however, learn to welcome his presence in our midst with faith. When Jesus presents himself again after eight days, the evangelist tells us that the doors still remained closed. It is not only Thomas who has to learn to confidently believe in the Risen One. The other disciples, too, have to overcome little by little the doubts and fears which still make them live with the doors closed to evangelization.

***************

The Risen Jesus is truly among us!

Let us spread His peace everywhere!

BBN thanks Fr. Vally de Souza SJ for this sermon