Second Sunday of Easter, Year C
In our reading, after the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples lived in peace and unity. They healed those who were sick and those with evil spirits in them. Because of their example, more people believed in the Lord.
In our Gospel, on Easter Sunday, the disciples were gathered together in a locked room because they were afraid of the people who crucified Jesus. Jesus came and stood in the same room and said “Peace be with you!” He showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy. Jesus said “Peace be with you. As God has sent me to you, now I am sending you to others.” He gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit so they can forgive sins saying, “If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Thomas wasn’t there that day so he said he wouldn’t believe that Jesus was alive until he saw Jesus’ hands and side himself. A week later, Thomas was with the other disciples and Jesus entered the room. Thomas touched the wounds of Jesus and he believed. How blessed are people who have not seen Jesus and still believe in him.
Special Saint: St. Catherine of Siena – April 29th
Catherine was born in Italy in 1347. She was the youngest in a family of 25 children. Her parents wanted her to be happily married but Catherine wanted to become a nun.
She cut her long, beautiful hair to prove she never wanted to marry.
Catherine became closer to Jesus. One night Jesus and Mary appeared to her while she was praying. Jesus put a ring on her finger and she became his bride.
At that time, the Church had many problems and there were many fights all over Italy. Catherine wrote letters to kings and queens. She begged them to make peace with the pope and to avoid wars. Catherine asked the pope to return to Rome to guide the Church according to God’s will.
Jesus helped heal the sick people she nursed and He comforted the prisoners she visited in jail.
Catherine died in Rome in 1380 at 33 years old.
Let’s offer our whole hearts to God. Then, like St. Catherine, we’ll discover how wonderful it is to love him! This love of God will also show in the way we treat other people.