Homily: Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday (B)
John 20:19-31
7 April 2024
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez
Lately, I have been conducting an evaluation of my three-year ministry here in San Roque Parish – Bagumbayan in preparation for the impending transfers of parish assignments. I have been constantly asking myself if my presence here has helped to create a good parish for all of us. Then it made me wonder what indeed makes a truly good parish? Is it simply a beautiful and clean parish church with well- kept facilities and bright and airy spaces conducive for prayer? Is it having a decent sound system, and the latest digital equipment? We know all these things are essential for a parish to be functional, but I realised that what is more important are aspects of life in the parish community that are difficult to measure because sometimes they only become apparent over time.
Today’s readings tell us of a progression in how the believers in Jesus conducted themselves. The gospel speaks of the apostles hiding in a room, afraid for themselves and still struggling with the possibility that their Lord was alive. Thomas must have been stunned when Jesus appeared to the group but he believed without question once he had touched the wounds of Christ. In the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles we see how the disciples have, in faith, been driven to build a life in community. Their way of life is characteristic of what John describes in our Second Reading — how belief that Jesus is the Son of God, leads one to follow Christ’s commandments, which we know from other narratives to be: love of God above all else and love of one’s neighbour as one’s self. The principal values that define this community were communal harmony, sharing of resources, and faith witnessing. I believe that these are the same things that make a good parish.
First of all, the early Christians were described as being “of one heart and mind” (Acts 4:32). This is communal harmony. They believed they were willfully and consciously gathered together, regardless of their differences, by the Lord Jesus to continue His saving mission. They were to rise above the things that separated them from one another and work together towards the fulfilment of their collective mission. We know that unity of heart and soul is extremely difficult! Our society is marked by so much division and segregation, focusing on individualism and what sets us apart from the rest. I pray that we, in San Roque Parish, will strive to fully achieve communal harmony among parishioners and become instruments of unity and peace in our community. Let us try to be an environment of living communion and participation — a place of welcome and patient nurturing for one another.
Secondly, the early Christians did not claim anything as one’s own possession. There is a sharing of possessions and each one is given according to one’s need. Hence, no one is left wanting. In the past three years, we experienced a sense of volunteerism from the different groups in the parish. Young and old alike have learned to share their talents and skills for the good of the parish. I have observed how many of our parishioners here came to realise that one’s gifts and talents must be used to minister to others. Each one felt that he/she had something to give and no one hesitated to give of his/her time, talent, and treasure to support the parish’s mission. I pray that everyone will sustain this practice and pursue it further.
Finally, they bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord. They did so by courageously preaching and teaching others about Jesus, the Messiah and the Son of God who died and rose to life to reconcile humanity back to God. They also bore witness by living lives that are pleasing to God — lives that make love tangible in the world. This love was patterned for them by Jesus Himself in the way he dealt with Thomas’ unbelief and impertinence. We see Jesus who was patient with Thomas. He doesn’t scold Thomas for his lack of faith and his impertinent remark: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25) Jesus reached out to Him in gentleness and forgiveness. Like Jesus, we are called to be patient and forgiving in how we accompany people as they embark on their journeys to grow in faith. A parish community that has been transformed by their faith in Jesus Christ is characterised by personal care, love and concern for all its faithful.
What I like about our San Roque parish is that we have a closeness. We know one another. Although we are far from perfect, I can say that we are not just an assembly, but a community! Perhaps the idyllic apostolic faith community that we heard about today is too high a goal for us to achieve just yet but through the grace of the Risen Lord perhaps one day it will be attainable. My prayer is that when people see us, they can exclaim… “Wow! Look at how these parishioners of San Roque love each other.”
In closing, let me share with everyone of us here the lyrics of the church hymn, Welcome and Wanted by Zack Stachowski as my prayer and hope for San Roque Parish and for all parish communities:
“May this place always be a house for all gathered, a church that is shared; may this place always be our home.
We gather together from all ways of life: our church universal, united in Christ. Reflections of Jesus in each human face, we’re welcome and wanted, we sing out our faith.
May this place always be a house for all gathered, a church that is shared; may this place always be our home.”
Sunday Gospel Reflections 