Father Jean Paul Hernandez SJ and his Commentary on the Gospel of April 16, 2023
Summary
From the Gospel according to John Jn 20:19-31
In the evening of that day, the first of the week, while the doors of the place where the disciples were for fear of the Jews were closed, a Jesusstood in the middle and said to them, "Peace be with you!" Having said that, he showed them his hands and side. And the disciples rejoiced to see the Lord.
Jesus he said to them again: «Peace be with you! As the Father sent me, I also send you." Having said this, she blew and said to them: «Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive, they will be forgiven; those whom you do not forgive, they will not be forgiven."
Thomas, one of the Twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when he came Jesus. The other disciples said to him: "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hand and put my finger into the nail mark and put my hand in his side, I don't believe."
Eight days later the disciples were back in the house and Thomas was with them too. He came Jesus, behind closed doors, stood in the middle and said: «Peace be with you!». Then she said to Tommaso: «Put your finger here and look at my hands; hold yours hand and put it in my side; and do not be incredulous, but a believer!”. Thomas answered him: «My Lord and mine God!». Jesus he said to him: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and have believed!».
Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, he did many other signs which are not written in this book. But these were written for you to believe that Jesus and the Christ, The Son of God, and because, by believing, you have your life in his name.
Word of the Lord.
Comment on the Gospel of April 16, 2023 3
FatherJean-Paul Hernandez comments on the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Easter also known as Sunday in Albis and illustrates the theme of the Apparitions of Christ after its resurrection in artistic representations.
“Unless I see the nail mark in his hands and put my finger in the nail mark and put my hand in his side, I don't believe." «Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and have believed!»
The whole story of Israel is a way of telling God without ever saying his name. In the New Testament the same role is played by the Resurrection. The Gospels are not a biography of Jesus but they are words so that you enter into a relationship with this name, so that you enter this life.
The Gospels are not to be read, they are to be prayed. The Gospels were written for the assembly, for the Christian community in prayer, because the Gospels are the path of your prayer.
Faith is the experience of having listened to the word, which you don't trust entirely, but which in the end leads you to an encounter, which is to touch the wounds of the One who is died for you.
