St Joseph Homily April 16th, 2023
Introduction: There is merging of living streams today in our liturgy, the feast, and the readings. The second Sunday of Easter, the Resurrection of the Lord!!! Alleluia! And with it we celebrate the feast of Diving Mercy Sunday, instituted by St JPII, the Pope of Mercy. And then the readings, which speak into our frailty and our need of touching Jesus with our hands and being a community of believers gathered holding things in common and worshipping around the breaking of the bread.
Let’s pause for a moment to take in the grandeur of the moment, the gift of our community, and the love we share for one another.
What if this was my last Mass, my first Mass, my only Mass. How would I live it? Maybe these words from Sister Faustina will help:
“Every morning during meditation, I prepare myself for the whole day’s struggle. Holy Communion assures me that I will win the victory; and so, it is. I fear the day when I do not receive Holy Communion. This Bread of the Strong gives me all the strength I need to carry on my mission and the courage to do whatever the Lord asks of me.
Doors were locked…for fear
It’s ok to admit even now after the Resurrection that you are still struggling to believe. And what we are witnessing today is a ‘general disbelief’ from all the apostles. Something was holding them back. What was it? What is holding me back from believing fully in the Resurrection? Mass is not for the perfect but rather for the needy.
The text tells us for fear the doors were locked. Let’s spend some time unwrapping fear. I am going to lean in on St Thomas Aquinas on his reflections regarding fear:
Fear is the beginning of despair even as hope is the beginning of daring. Wherefore, just as fortitude which employs daring in moderation presupposes hope, so on the other hand despair proceeds from some kind of fear.
Could we say that the apostles found themselves despairing. Hope was lost. Fear was setting in. Doors were locked. Darkness prevailed. Can you think of a moment this feeling has come over you? Perhaps we can pause and remember them.
What is God asking of us today, on this Divine Mercy Sunday? These words from St Sister Faustina may help us:
“All grace flows from mercy, and the last hour abounds with mercy for us. Let no one doubt concerning the goodness of God; even if a person’s sins were as dark as night, God’s mercy is stronger than our misery. One thing alone is necessary; that the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, to let in a ray of God’s merciful grace, and then God will do the rest.” (No. 1507)
Today is a good, perhaps the best of all the year to let go of your fears. Lay them before the altar, gently but confidently.
Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands put my finger into the nailmarks…
And now we focus in on one of the apostles – Thomas - because he speaks into the heart of the matter. What was Thomas doing when Jesus came to visit the Apostles? We don’t know, but what we do know is he wasn’t there with them. Like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus Thomas left. He was alone. Bewildered, angry, afraid, and alone.
And here I would like to read between the lines…was it one of the other apostles that went and found Thomas. He noticed he wasn’t there; they were close friends, and he was determined to find him and bring him back. Has this ever happened to you? Where someone you loved has called out, ‘where are you?’ This is what friends do, right?
Now back in the fold, he clearly expressed his doubt. But now he was not alone. And Jesus knew he wasn’t alone, and it was time to show Thomas that he was alive. In this encounter Jesus is speaking to us!
Jesus knows we doubt him, we doubt his love, we doubt his mercy. And despite that, he comes looking for us. Have no doubt about this everyone, Jesus will find you. Like no one else on the planet, he is the one who knows where you are and knows your fears and struggles. All he is asking today is that you tell him, ‘I need your help. I am not perfect, but you can heal me.’
During the Holy Week Missions there was a sense of this experience of being called back? We are here, we are open, we love you. I am so proud of this community for the response of wanting to walk the streets, pray, and receive our new friends. Each one of you has contributed to making St Joseph a missionary parish. Thank you.
Divine Mercy Sunday (Robert Taylor)
Today I will visit Robert Taylor. A man advanced in years, bed ridden, who sleeps most of the day. Robert, who was a professor of history has requested to be received into the Catholic Church. At the end of his life, Jesus has found him. I believe it’s through your prayers Jesus has found a way to grant this man’s request at the end of his life.
As we conclude this homily let’s give thanks to God as we allow these words from St Paul to echo in our hearts:
“Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.