First reading (Acts 2:42-47). This is the first of three summaries in Acts that describe the life and activities of the earliest Christian community. (The other two are 4:32-35; 5:12-16). Here Luke describes, in an idealised way, the final result of Peter’s preaching at Pentecost. All those who received the word committed themselves to a new way of living centred on the teaching of the apostles, fellowship, the breaking of bread (Eucharist), and prayer. The Church is fundamentally a worshipping community, and this worship is related to loving service towards one another.
Second Reading (1 Peter 1:3-9). Until the seventh Sunday of Easter inclusive, the Second Reading is taken from 1 Peter. Peter’s aim is to encourage Christians and help them to hold on to the basic tenets of their faith in times of trial. In today’s text the author thanks God for the new birth of baptism. However, the new life we receive at baptism is never quite perfected in this life. Our full sharing in the glory of Christ lies in the future. This hope not only enables the Christian to cope with trials and difficulties but also to rejoice in them because he is sure that they will lead him to salvation.
Gospel (John 20:19-31). Here we have John’s version of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. The risen Jesus appears to his apostles, shows them his wounds (which serve to identify him as the same one who died), and bestows peace on them.
Then he inaugurates the mission of the Church. This mission is the exact same mission he received from the Father (a mission accomplished by his death and resurrection): the reconciliation of people with the Father, through the forgiveness of sins. To carry out their mission he gives them the gift of the Spirit and the power to forgive sin.
All three synoptic Gospels mention doubt when Jesus appears to his followers after the resurrection (Matthew 28:17; Luke 24:37-38; Mark 16:14), but John dramatises that doubt in an individual. Paradoxically, however, from the lips of this ‘doubting Thomas’ comes the Church’s profession of faith: ‘My Lord and my God.’
Writing for a generation that has not ‘seen’ the Lord, the evangelist adds the comment: ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ He is telling these later disciples (and us) that they share the same blessedness as those who actually saw the risen Lord.
