Second Sunday of Easter: Divine Mercy

TheÊfollowing message byÊSister Maureen Marr, SNDdeNÊwas originally published by theÊSNDdeNÊCongregational Mission Office:Ê
Read: John 20: 19-31
Reflect: Here we areÉthe Second Sunday in EasterÉgreeting the Lord along with the disciples.Ê Perhaps like Thomas, we have our questions too!ÊÊ Unless we seeÉwe find it hard to believe.
As always, Jesus helps us work it out!Ê ÒJust open your eyesÉnot just the eyes in your head, but also the eyes of your heart and mind and will.ÓÊ Jesus remains among us. He promises not to leave us, and He is not one to make false promises!
Somehow, I always feel it was easier for those first disciplesÉbut so very hard at times for those who came along later.Ê Standing back and relooking at those first men and women who followed the Lord, their understanding was a bit cloudy, too!Ê Just ask Thomas, or Peter, or the mother of James and John, who had big dreams for her sons.
Our world is ever more complicated; more complex questions and difficulties; dangerous weaponry leading to less security; greater misunderstanding and fear of one anotherÉ Where are you, Jesus?Ê How do we stay connected with you? How do we deal with you and our world today? Perhaps one response is ÒItÕs all about relationship.Ó
How do we reach out to our neighbors? Do we reach out? Who are our neighbors? Jesus did not push the doubting Thomas away; he asked him to come close and touch his wounds. Somehow it seems to come down to handing on love each in her own way.Ê The act of believing doesnÕt come to a halt.Ê It is always in processÉcontinuing and deepening.
May the mystery of Jesus and his gift of love be in our hearts and minds and actions each dayÉand, like Thomas, sometimes stumbling a bit, may we put our own doubts aside to choose God and GodÕs Goodness as we contribute to a world where all may thrive in compassion and peace.
Read: John 20: 19-31
Reflect: On the evening of that first day of the week,Êwhen the doors were locked, where the disciples were,Êfor fear of the Jews,ÊJesus came and stood in their midstÊand said to them, ÒPeace be with you.ÓÊWhen he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.ÊThe disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.ÊJesus said to them again, ÒPeace be with you.ÊAs the Father has sent me, so I send you.ÓÊAnd when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,ÊÒReceive the Holy Spirit.ÊWhose sins you forgive are forgiven them,Êand whose sins you retain are retained.Ó
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,Êwas not with them when Jesus came.ÊSo the other disciples said to him, ÒWe have seen the Lord.ÓÊBut he said to them,ÊÒUnless I see the mark of the nails in his handsÊand put my finger into the nailmarksÊand put my hand into his side, I will not believe.Ó
Now, a week later, his disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them.ÊJesus came, although the doors were locked,Êand stood in their midst and said, ÒPeace be with you.ÓÊThen he said to Thomas, ÒPut your finger here and see my hands,Êand bring your hand and put it into my side,Êand do not be unbelieving, but believe.ÓÊThomas answered and said to him, ÒMy Lord and my God!ÓÊJesus said to him, ÒHave you come to believe because you have seen me?ÊBlessed are those who have not seen and have believed.Ó
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciplesÊthat are not written in this book.ÊBut these are written that you may come to believeÊthat Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,Êand that through this belief you may have life in his name.
The Gospel of the Lord
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ÊThis reflection continues on theÊSNDdeN International website.

Meet Sister Maureen Marr, SNDdeN

Sister MaureenÕs last formal ministry involved working with a team of Sisters at Bakhita Safe House for trafficked womenÉquite challenging, but very rewarding. Before this, Sister Maureen engaged in high school education as a teacher, guidance counselor, vice-principal and principal. She responded to a request to serve as a campus chaplain at the University of Maine in Orono, which offered the side benefit of learning to cross-country ski! She was fortunate to spend six years in Rome as General Secretary during the term of Sr. Camilla Burns and her successor Sr. Teresita Weind. Currently, Maureen lives in community with two SNDs where the ÒMinistry of WelcomeÓ evolved. They have hosted several Sister-students who study either at Boston College or Boston University: To date, they have enjoyed students from China, Congo, Canada, Japan, Nigeria, Peru and Vietnam. It continues to be an enriching and joyful experience!