Commentary: The book of Acts reveals that the life of the early Church mimicked the life of Jesus. In other words, the Church, under the leadership of the Apostles, continued to do just what Jesus had done. In fact, as we will see in today’s Gospel (regarding the forgiveness of sins), Jesus Himself gave the Apostles the authority to do the incredible things He had done. Thus, in today’s first reading, we hear about the Apostles performing “signs and wonders.” They were healing the sick and casting out demons, just like Jesus had done. The only difference is Jesus did those signs by His own power. The Apostles did them through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. God did miraculous things through them because they trusted in Him. God even used Peter’s shadow as an instrument of healing for people. This evidences that nothing is impossible for God and He can choose to use any means to bring new life. These miracles drew many people to the faith and, thus, the Church grew. The amazing thing is that the same Holy Spirit who worked through the Apostles dwells within you by virtue of your baptism. As a member of the Church, you are also called to carry on the mission of Christ by proclaiming the healing power of His resurrection to the world.
Commentary: The Apostle John was exiled to the island Patmos for being a Christian. While there, He had a miraculous vision of Heaven and was instructed to record what he saw. The result is the book of Revelation, the final book of the Bible. John saw in his vision of Heaven “one like a son of man.” This is a clear reference to Jesus, whom he saw in resurrected and glorified form. The ankle-length robe He was wearing would be comparable to the robe worn by the high priest, indicating Jesus’ priestly role in interceding for us before the Father. The “gold sash around his chest” symbolizes Christ’s kingship. Jesus is “the first and the last” because He is fully God. Through His death and resurrection He overcome the power of death. Jesus, thus, has the authority to bring people to new life, freeing them from their sins.
Commentary: These post-resurrection appearances of Jesus are packed with meaning, including parallels with the Mass. First, both appearances occurred on the “first day of the week,” which is Sunday, the day we still gather today. Second, the Lord is present with his followers, speaking to them His Word (like in the Liturgy of the Word), offering them peace (like in the Sign of Peace), and showing them His crucified and risen body (like in the Liturgy of the Eucharist). The Apostles’ response is worship, as should be ours at Mass. Doubting Thomas needed to see the risen Lord in order to believe. But Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” As Christians, we must “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). The risen Lord is fully present with us in the Mass through the Eucharist, but it takes the eyes of faith to be able to see Him there. Furthermore, this passage includes the institution of the Sacrament of Confession. Jesus said to the Apostles, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” In doing so, He gave the Apostles the authority to forgive and retain sins in His name. They passed this authority down from Jesus to bishops and priests all the way to today.
Taking it Home:
Priests have been given the authority to proclaim our sins forgiven by Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to receive God’s mercy there! In honor of Divine Mercy Sunday, reconciliation will be available from 4:00-5:00 PM this Sunday.