Sunday 24 April

EASTER OCTAVE

Acts 5:12-16; Psalm 118; Apocalypse 1:9-13,17-19; John 20:19-31

A gentle reprimand

Thomas is the last of the future Apostles to see the Risen Jesus. The invitation to accept Jesus as risen comes personally to him – “doubt no longer but believe!” Jesus is gentle with Thomas – no reprimand but the invitation to touch his wounds, and so clear his doubt. That same gentleness is present in our own lives, particularly in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. No reprimand, a gentle reminder to remember what Jesus suffered, his gracious forgiveness, and “go and sin no more.”