HOMILY FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR B
THEME: JUST TRUST GOD AND OBEY!
BY: Fr. Augustine Ikechukwu Opara
(ACTS 4:32-35, 1JN 5:1-6, JN 20:19-31)
The first reading speaks of a new beginning and a time of renewal and hope. The Acts of the Apostles presents us with a community, that emerged from the turbulent period following the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We are told that the early disciples were deeply rooted in the Gospel values: prayer, solidarity, mutual support, and concern for the sick and the vulnerable members. It was like an extension of the original company of Jesus. “See how the Christians love one another,” people remarked.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: YEAR A: Homily for 2nd Sunday of Easter – Divine Mercy Sunday
From the gospel reading, following the dramatic events in Jerusalem, the followers of Christ gathered in grief, fear, confusion, and uncertainty. Then the risen Jesus unexpectedly appeared to them. He did not rebuke them. He only removed their guilt and shame with the words: “Peace be with you”. The disciples humbled by their own failings learned to trust and to walk the pathway of vulnerability. It was their faith in Him, not the size of their numbers, not the strength of their resources, that determined the outcome of their mission. The beginning of the Church took place not at the moment of its success and achievement but at the moment of its greatest vulnerability. It had nothing to rely on but the power of the risen Lord.
The story continues with the doubt of Thomas who was not convinced by the testimony of others. Thus, even in that ideal Christian community, there were disagreements and certainly different levels of faith. Some were strong; others were weak and wavering. This inspires us today as we grapple with the unsettling and disconcerting situation.
The division among the apostles is like the division in any family between those who have faith and reason in perfect harmony and those whose faith and reason are out of sync. Relying only on reason and logic and science alone had closed Thomas’ mind to Jesus’ resurrection. His independence, his pride, his wish to be master of his own life, and wanting control of his own destiny instead of allowing faith to be in harmony with reason meant that he wasted a week. He shut Jesus out of his life for one week. We could be closer to our Lord Jesus in so many ways. We cannot do everything at once. However, like Thomas, we must accept our defects and also acknowledge them before the Lord.
On the other hand, all it takes to meet Jesus is to allow our reason/logic to work together with our faith. So, we make that act of faith in God. Surrender into the hands of a loving God. You have nothing to lose but everything to gain. A beautiful chant about trust in God goes like this; “When we walk with the Lord, in the light of his word, what a glory he sheds on our way, while we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey”.
And that is exactly, what the second reading highlights when it says: “The love of God is this, that we keep his commandments.” Today so many people reject any kind of commandment, any kind of imposition from without. The catchphrase is “I know my rights” my dear friends, if we ever want to know God and enjoy his Mercy, we must be open to allowing Him into our hearts. God always brings commandments of one type or another to harmonize our lives. If there are no commandments or laws, then we are deluding ourselves about God and there will be no harmony in nature. Just trust God and obey.
Happy feast of divine Mercy!
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