Message from Fr. Brito:

Happy Easter

     Today is the Sunday of the Divine Mercy. God loves us so much that he has taken upon himself the sins of the world. We, who seek his mercy, will find it in his son, our Jesus Christ. There is no other one who can save us. In today's Gospel we see Jesus appear to his apostles all, but Thomas. When Thomas finally arrives, the others tell him that Jesus is alive and that he has appeared to them. However, Thomas is the scientist in the group and as a good scientist he needs physical proof to believe.

"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Thomas has been chosen by Jesus himself to testify to a world that is full of skeptics. He will give testimony to all who need this kind of concrete evidence to believe.

 

       Now the second, time that Jesus appears to his disciples, Thomas is present. I think the moment that Thomas sees Jesus that he knows and believes. But Jesus is not going to let Thomas off the hook and will allow him to test his declaration of what will bring him to believe.

The risen Lord says to Thomas:  "Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe."

The scientist declares his conclusion after having received his empirical evidence: "My Lord and my God!"

Thomas's statement transcends that of any other disciple to this point. He declared, without a doubt, that Jesus is God.

       How many of you have seen Jesus as the disciples saw him? I have never seen him as such, but I believe with all my heart. I think most of you have not seen him either as such, but you still believe. Jesus said to Thomas: "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

      When Thomas felt the love of Jesus, he felt the divine love of God. It was in his encounter with the heart of Jesus that he believed. He became like a child before God. When we become like children it will be easier for us to follow the ways of God. That is, when we become humble.

      In the second reading St. Peter echos Jesus’ blessing as he writes: “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 soul.” Although we can not see him we can have a real encounter with him though when he touches us through the seven Sacrament of the Church.

Beginning with baptism we receive the grace to live a life that pleases the Lord. The other sacraments feed us and strengthen us for this journey of life. The others sacraments help us to return to our baptismal grace when we have fallen away. The Eucharist is a sacrament in which we receive Jesus. What we receive looks like bread and wine, but we believe it is the body and blood of Jesus. Blessed are those who believe without having seen"

     Jesus says: "Do not fear. I am the first and the last; I am the one who lives. I was dead and now, as you see, I am alive forever and ever "

Jesus Said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”  God bless you all,. Stay close to the merciful heart of our Lord Jesus and be not afraid. Amen

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