These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (Jn 20:19-31)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042725.cfm
Mercy is giving others another chance. It’s what we call a do-over. Thomas wins a second chance for all of us. For whatever reason, Thomas missed the first Easter Sunday—he was simply absent. And when the others told him what had happened, he refused to believe. But the NEXT Sunday he didn’t miss the gathering, Thomas was there. And even though the Lord tells him to touch his wounds, Thomas DOESN’T. Instead Thomas sees and believes and then gives us the highest confession of Jesus in the entire New Testament, “My Lord and my God!” Doubting Thomas has become Thomas is the Believer! That is truly Divine Mercy, a mercy we should in turn extend to others.
Christians, to the Paschal Victim, Offer your thankful praises! A Lamb the sheep redeems; Christ, who only is sinless, Reconciles sinners to the Father. Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen. Alleluia. (Easter Sequence)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042625.cfm
Today is the funeral and internment of Pope Francis. Our hope is in Christ’s Resurrection. Blessed be the dead who die in the Lord. Let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them. Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. And may his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
So Jesus said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something." So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat. (Jn 21:1-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042525.cfm
Although the previous chapter (Chapter 20) marks the original ending to the Fourth Gospel, Chapter 21 continues with the story of Breakfast by the Sea. We have a bit of gospel humor: Peter puts on his clothes and then jumps into the sea, meanwhile the others come in the boat! Nevertheless, Peter will figure greatly throughout the rest of this added chapter with its second conclusion to the gospel. Breakfast by the Sea of course includes loaves and fishes with Jesus himself doing the honors.
And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things." (Lk 24:35-48)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042425.cfm
Luke’s account of the appearance of the Risen Lord to the disciples emphasizes the physicality of the experience. The Lord himself reminds us that we are witnesses of what God has done. We give thanks to God for the beautiful witness of Pope Francis. May he dance with the angels!
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Lk 24:13-35)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042325.cfm
The Encounter of the Risen Lord with the Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus is how we experience the Risen Lord today—our hearts are burning within us when he speaks to us on the Way, and then we recognize him in the Breaking of the Bread. Eternal rest grant to Pope Francis, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace!
