Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy) – April 7, 2024

04-07-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Matthew Duclos

What does it mean to “bear witness” to something? If we witness a crime, we can report that to the police, and they will take a witness statement to record what we’ve seen or heard. If we witness an event, we might be called upon to give an interview for a news story about our experiences.

In a spiritual sense, this concept of bearing witness to something means that we are not only called to believe in what the Lord says and does and teaches; as his followers, we must also bear witness to those truths and testify, share, and make visible those encounters. In other words, bearing witness to something is more than simply knowing or understanding; it’s about an outward expression to share what we’ve experienced.

In this weekend following the Resurrection of the Lord, we see the effects of how others have shared their witness of the events of Holy Week and the Resurrection of Jesus.

Our Gospel today comes from John 20. The chapter begins with the encounter of Mary of Magdala seeing the stone removed from the empty tomb. Shortly after, Jesus appears to Mary and asks why she is weeping. She soon recognizes Jesus and follows his instruction to share her witness, and she later announces to the disciples “I have seen the Lord,” bearing witness to what she experienced. Then we come to today’s passage, another encounter of the risen Christ, this time Jesus appearing to the disciples through the locked doors.

Thomas, of course known as the one who doubts, needs more proof before he can believe and share his own witness. Jesus invites Thomas to feel the wounds in his side, feel the wounds in his hands, and Thomas’ unbelief subsides into a statement of undeniable belief: “My Lord and my God,” and now he is added to the list of those who can witness to the resurrection of Christ.

As disciples of Christ, as ones who have recently witnessed the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, the crucifixion of the Lord as he died to offer us redemption, and his triumphant resurrection from the dead, we are constantly called to bear that witness to all we meet. Bearing witness to the resurrection requires us to open the doors of our hearts and allow the light of Christ to infiltrate our lives. It means embracing the reality of His victory over sin and death and allowing this truth to permeate every aspect of our being. It means living with a profound sense of hope, even in the midst of trials and tribulations, knowing that Christ has conquered all.

Our first reading today also includes passages about the apostles bearing witness to the resurrection of the Lord: “With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all.” Bearing witness to the resurrection, although difficult at times given our current culture, should be part and parcel to the post-Easter routine as we mimic the apostles’ actions to bear witness with great power.

In parishes throughout the world, we have people this weekend who are receiving the Body and Blood of Christ for the second time, the first being last weekend during the great Easter Vigil. As our communities have prayed for them, supported them, encouraged them, these new members of the Catholic Church are indeed some of the greatest witnesses we have to the working of the Holy Spirit in their own lives. What better way to witness to the love of Jesus than to learn about him through Scripture and the teachings of the Church over these past months and finally encounter Him in these powerful sacraments? We know converts to the faith are some of the most powerful witnesses in our parish communities.

Our second reading teaches us how to be a witness to Christ. To love God means to keep his commandments, commandments that we know are not burdensome; rather, they lead us to love God and love our neighbor. Simply living the commandments is a powerful witness in itself. So many times people ask “what can I do to bring my family members back to the faith” or “what can I say that will make someone come to church?” Well, maybe it’s not so much about what we do or say, although our actions and words are very important; maybe it’s about how we live. Our way of life, whether public or private, is an indication of how we bear witness to God’s loving commandments at work in our own lives.

We are at the beginning of this Easter season, may we be emboldened by the example of the disciples and their unwavering faith in the resurrection. Without their witness to the faith and courage to evangelize, our own lives may have looked very different. May we open our hearts to encounter the risen Christ in our midst and allow His transformative love to work within us. And may we, in turn, bear witness to His resurrection to all we encounter with courage, conviction, and joy, so that all may come to know the true power and glory of our risen Lord Jesus Christ.