The experience of the Risen Lord in the community

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season : Second Week : Sunday*

*The Feast of Divine Mercy*

*Gospel : Jn 20:19-31*

*First Reading : Acts 2:42-47*

*SECOND READING - 1 Pt 1:3-9*

*The experience of the Risen Lord in the community*

*1) The appearance of Jesus to His disciples*

The first part of the Gospel, recounts the incident of Jesus' appearance to his disciples

When He appeared to His disciples he said *Peace be with You*

He also gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to forgive the Sins of others 

Jesus said *Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”*

*2) Thomas missed the Experience of the Risen Lord*

In fact Thomas was not with the community of the disciples

Since He was not with the disciples, he missed the divine experience of the appearance of Jesus 

The main reason is that he was not with the company of other disciples

*3) Strength of the Community*

Community has its own importance

In todays Gospel we see the importance of community because those who were with the community they experienced the Risen Christ

Thomas who was not with the community, lost the divine experience of the Risen Lord 

*4) Thomas with the community*

Towards the end of the Gospel we also see that Thomas was found with other disciples when Jesus once again appreaed to Thomas to clear His doubts 

This also highlights the importance of the community

To Thomas he appeared only in the community and not when went out the community

*5) Where Two or Three gathered in my Name*

This is what we read in the Gospels, said by Jesus 

*Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am l in the misdt of them*

*6) Important community link in my Life*

Family is a community

Parish is a community

Ward and members of ward is a community

All associations of the parish create a community

Catechism class is a community

Any training program in the parish forms a community

Working and serving together forms a community

So there are plenty of occasions, where we can think of community concept to experience the Risen Lord 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*