Sunday April 19, 2020 Gospel Reflection – Doubting Thomas.
Although it has been only 46 days from Ash Wednesday, 2020 to Easter 2020, it seems that the Time passing passing has taken forever!!!
As we reflect on the Second Sunday after Easter on April 19th and the ongoing church season after Easter, our Sunday readings can give us help to get through these challenging times.
Let’s see what John Chapter 20, verses 19 to 31 can tell us!!!
The basic information is that the disciples, even though have reports of Jesus being seen, are huddled in a room, fearful and worried!!!
Jesus comes through the locked door and appears to many disciples, commissioning them to go out and forgive or retain sins. Jesus also breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit. Thomas heard this from disciples who were there and demanded proof. Jesus appears a second time and Thomas is humbled, uttering the famous prayer of belief and fellowship with Jesus – my Lord and my God!!!
So, when I run through the basics of this Gospel let me check some key phrases with my last 50 days or so!!! Worried – check; huddled- yes; a bit doubtful – uh huh!!!; remorseful when I encounter the real news facts – yes! I will stop there and focus on Thomas’ response to seeing the Lord crucified and raised from the dead – my Lord and my God!!!
Sometimes the only response we have to life is to throw ourselves upon our belief and faith in Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to help us through tough times!!! Those times are now and our belief as Christians is that God through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit is with us right now all day and all night and with every breath we take!!!
My Lord and my God!!! Thank you Thomas – stay safe, you all!!!
Rev. Mike Lynch
Assistant Priest, St. Peter’s Anglican Church.
St Peter's Anglican Parish 