The second Sunday
of Easter is all about: peace, faith, forgiveness and mercy. In the context of
war, the readings of today become very relevant. In the first reading we see
the summary of the apostles’ mission. The apostles are continuing the mission
of Jesus. They are even performing miracles which Jesus Himself was doing
earlier. This causes amazement and fear among the people. For no one dare to approach
the apostles because of the holiness and godliness which the apostles exhibit
through their works. In Mk 6:55-56 we read about the healing of multitude
through the touch of the garment of Jesus. Now, the shadow of apostles effect
healing (Acts 5:15-16). Later in Acts 19:12 we would also witness, healing and exorcism
that take their effect from the clothes which touched the body of St. Paul. All
these are signs that Jesus whom the Jewish leaders killed and the romans certified
as dead is not dead but alive. When Jesus commissioned the twelve to go around
and preach the Gospel He promised them to accompany them through signs and
wonders which would confirm their preaching as true (Mk 16:17). In the first
reading we see that Jesus is truly accompanying the apostles through signs (Cf.
Mk 16:20).
The Gospel
passage begins with the message of ‘peace’ from the Risen Jesus. This event
happens on the evening of the Easter Sunday. Earlier in Jn 14:27 Jesus promised
to give peace that is different from the peace which the world provides. Now,
in the resurrection Jesus fulfils that promise by wishing them Shalom (peace). Albeit this is addressed
to the disciples gathered in the room, this peace is extending to the whole
humanity, especially to the murderers of Him. The Risen Jesus does not take
revenge on His murderers. (He only persecutes them by not appearing to them!). The
resurrection of Jesus causes fear to His murderers as they can be revenged by
Jesus. On the other hand, the resurrection of Jesus also causes fear among
disciples as resurrection reveals the identity of Jesus as God. In the
resurrection the definite revelation takes place: the disciples understand that
the man with whom they lived with hope was not just the messenger or the messiah
but God Himself. And so, there is a fear in all circles. In this context Jesus
comes magnificently and says, ‘peace be with you.’
Jesus also gives
the Holy Spirit by breathing on them (Jn 20:22). The Holy Spirit would come
down on the apostles only on the day of Pentecost. The spirit that Jesus
dispenses on the day of His resurrection is the spirit of God, which is Holy
and life giving. In Gen 2:7 we read that the breath of God caused man to come
into existence (life). Sadly, that breath could not provide eternal life to man
as he disobeyed soon (the fall). The passion, death and resurrection of Jesus
restores that fall: man gets reconciled with God. As a result, the breath of risen
Jesus recreates man, thus, enabling him to enter into eternal life. Jesus
breaths on whole humanity – represented by His disciples in the room – to
cause, to create man, rather re-create man who is worthy to stand before God as
His children. The forgiveness that He promises in the following verse (Jn
20:23) is not a commission for the disciples to preach the Gospel but the promise
of benefit and disadvantage of the believers and non-believers respectively.
It is quite interesting
to note that Thomas, the future apostle of India asks for a crucified sign in the risen Jesus. Who would
gladden to hold the mark of a suffering in the post-victorious moment? It could
be wise from the part of Thomas if he were to condition risen Jesus to appear in
front of His Murderers and thus, prove them all that He is the eternal truth
and the giver of life. But, Thomas asks for a weird sign! This shows that
Thomas want to confirm the one who appears as risen Jesus is not someone different
from the persecuted Jesus. It becomes more interesting when he sees risen Jesus
with the mark of the crucifixion. Thomas is taken up by surprise when his
demand for empirical sign is granted from the Lord. Thomas should have expected
some denouncement and condemnation from risen Jesus for his unbelieving but he
receives grace of empirical sign. Even here Jesus begins His conversation with ‘peace.’
Through His peace, Jesus forgives His murderers, He re-creates humanity and He grants
mercy to the unbelieving. Thus, peace is the crux of resurrection.
On this day we
also keep the Divine Mercy Sunday. The world that is torn with war and conflict
needs peace. This can be effected only through forgiveness and mercy. We need
the heart of forgiveness to end conflicts and we need the mercy of God to start
a new. Forgiveness stops the progress of evil and mercy restores the order of
life. May this world realize fast that war is not a means to attain one’s goal
but a means to end humanity. Pope Francis reiterates often, “erase the war from
humanity before it erases humanity.” Let the peace of risen Jesus pierce the
heart of cruel leaders to end war and establish peace.
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