2C EASTER HOMILY, JOHN 20:19-31, April 27, 2025
1. STORY
This story was
told by a Chinese student. The students
were excited because the university finally found a French teacher. It was mandatory to study a second language in
order to graduate. On the day of the
first French class, the new French teacher, an old man with white hair, walked
in very slowly. He stood in front of the
class and in a shuttering voice said, “Students, forgive me for I have not
spoken to humans in nearly 30 years. My
name is Chan.” There was dead silence in
the class. One student asked, “Whom have
you been talking to?” “God,” he said. All laughed as religion had been banned since
1949. ” Where have you been talking to
God?” “In prison,” another short and
labored answer. All remained silent for
the rest of the class. Fr. Chan went to
prison because he was a Catholic priest. He was locked up in a cell for most of these
years. His strong belief in God kept him
alive.
2. GOSPEL, JOHN
20, 19-31
A. PEACE BE WITH
YOU
The first time
Jesus met all the apostles after his death and resurrection, he greeted them
with “Peace be with you.” Jesus could
have greeted them with anger as they deserted him in the hour of his greatest
need. But he did not.
B. BLESSED ARE
THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND HAVE BELIEVED
i) Thomas would
only believe if he touched the body of Jesus.
ii) Jesus
appeared to him, greeted him with peace, and permitted him to touch him. Finally, he believed.
iii) Jesus tells
us of the great importance of faith in him. “Blessed are those who have not seen and have
believed.”
3. APPLICATION TO
LIFE
A. PEACE BE WITH
YOU
i) Jesus wants us
to have peace in our lives. At each Mass
we greet each other with the sign of peace.
ii) We have the
mission to bring peace to others.
iii) We are
peacemakers by being kind in word, respectful in attitude, and forgiving to
those who have offended us. We follow
the example of Jesus.
B. BLESSED ARE
THOSE WHO BELIEVE
i) Faith in Jesus
is the foundation of peace.
ii) Jesus loves
us so much that he gave his life to save us. We must grow in our understanding of Jesus. He is always with us to help us. iii) We must
pray daily for an increase of faith. There
are many temptations, problems, and failures we meet in our lives which would
weaken our faith, trust, and love for Jesus. We can resist such attacks only with the help
of Jesus. We pray, “Lord increase our
faith.”
4. CONCLUSION
i) Father Chan
was able to endure 30 years in prison because of his strong faith in God.
ii) Jesus brought
peace into the lives of his apostles. Jesus
told us of the great importance of faith.
iii) We have the
mission to bring peace into the lives of others by being kind in word,
respectful in our attitude towards others, and our willingness to forgive
others. We pray daily for an increase of
faith saying, “Lord increase our faith.” We thank Jesus for this instruction and ask
him to help us be peacemakers and to increase our faith.
