Wel c ome t o o ur Bi b le S tudy

1. Welcome to our Bible Study 2nd Sunday of Easter C Sunday of Divine Mercy April 7, 2013 In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st reading: Acts 5,12-16 • 12 Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon's portico. 13 None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them. 14 Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them. 15 Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. 16 A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured. The focus is on the signs and wonders.

3. 1st reading: Acts 5,12-16 • 12 Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon's portico. 13 None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them. 14 Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them. 15 Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. 16 A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured. Take note of the underlined words = signs and wonders

4. Textual Context of Acts 5,12-16 Outline of NAB I. The Preparation for the Christian Mission (1,1—2,13) II. The Mission in Jerusalem (2,14—8,3) III. The Mission in Judea and Samaria (8,4—9,43) IV. The Inauguration of the Gentile Mission (10,1—15,35) V. The Mission of Paul to the Ends of the Earth (15,36—28,31)

6. 12 Many signs and wonders were doneamong the people at the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon's portico. 13 None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them. 14 Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them. 15 Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. 16 A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured. Commentary The text enumerates the fruits of the preaching (kerygma) of the apostles. V.12 speaks of the signs and wonders, not just some signs and wonders but many(meaning that God’s deeds through the apostles are impressive). V.12 also indicates the setting: Solomon’s portico (in the Temple area). V.13 indicates the good standing of the apostles due to their wonderful works. The apostles are highly esteemed by the people. V.14 speaks of the increasing number of believers (not just many conversions, but great numbers). V.15 may not be taken literally. The shadow of Peter falling on one or another indicates how great Peter is. V.16 repeats the ideas in vv.14 and 15 (great numbers and the sick/possessed). The signs and wonders are the miracles done by Peter. These miracles continue the work of Jesus’ healing ministry (and exorcisms). 1st reading: Acts 5,12-16

7. Reflections on the 1st reading • To be an apostle/believer/disciple is to continue what Jesus had begun. • Faith in the risen Lord must be translated into the multiplication of followers and the healing of the sick and the possessed. • Remember the theme of the Synod of Bishops 2012: “New Evangelization for the Transmission of Christian Faith.” • How many people have you brought to the Church for baptism, confirmation, communion and wedding? • How many people have been enlightened in their faith because of your testimony? • What kind of a believer are you?

8. Resp. Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 • R. (1) Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.2 Let the house of Israel say,“His mercy endures forever.”3 Let the house of Aaron say,“His mercy endures forever.”4 Let those who fear the LORD say,“His mercy endures forever.” • 13 I was hard pressed and was falling,but the LORD helped me.14 My strength and my courage is the LORD,and he has been my savior.15 The joyful shout of victoryin the tents of the just: • 22 The stone which the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone.23 By the LORD has this been done;it is wonderful in our eyes.24 This is the day the LORD has made;let us be glad and rejoice in it.

9. R. (1) Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.2 Let the house of Israel say,“His mercy endures forever.”3 Let the house of Aaron say,“His mercy endures forever.”4 Let those who fear the LORD say,“His mercy endures forever.” 13 I was hard pressed and was falling, but the LORD helped me.14 My strength and my courage is the LORD,and he has been my savior.15 The joyful shout of victoryin the tents of the just: 22 The stone which the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone.23 By the LORD has this been done;it is wonderful in our eyes.24 This is the day the LORD has made;let us be glad and rejoice in it. Commentary The psalm is classified as a thanksgiving hymn. Vv.2-4 recognize God’s enduring mercy. V.13 relates the personal experience (crisis) of the psalmist and God’s help. In v.14 the psalmist acknowledges who God is: his strength, courage, savior and joyful shout. Vv.22-24 speaks well of the Risen Lord (rejected stone which become cornerstone). Let’s celebrate! Resp. Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

10. Reflections on the Psalm • Like the psalmist, we must be keen on what God does wonderfully in us. • This triggers our thanksgiving. • We must believe that what God did to the psalmist (to Jesus), he will also do to us. • God will intervene in our lives. • Don’t worry if people reject us, God will make use of us. Just wait a little. Have faith in the Divine Mercy. • Don’t waste your time self-pitying and sulking.

11. 2nd reading: Rev.1,9-11.12-13.17-19 • 9 I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the island called Patmos because I proclaimed God's word and gave testimony to Jesus. 10 I was caught up in spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, 11 which said, "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches. • 12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest. • 17 When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18 the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the netherworld. 19 Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards. The focus is on the vision of therisen Christ.

12. 2nd reading: Rev.1,9-11.12-13.17-19 A simple outline! John, the witness, the visionary, the author • 9 I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the island called Patmos because I proclaimed God's word and gave testimony to Jesus. 10 I was caught up in spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, 11 which said, "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches. Jesus Christ, the son of man • 12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest. John’s reaction of his vision and the giving of his mission (to write) • 17 When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18 the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the netherworld. 19 Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.

13. Patmos

14. John, the witness, the visionary, the author 9 I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the island called Patmos because I proclaimed God's word and gave testimony to Jesus. 10 I was caught up in spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, 11 which said, "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches. Jesus Christ, the son of man 12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest. Commentary In v.9, John, the author, relates where he is now (Patmos, Greece). John describes himself as having experienced distress (persecution) because he preached the God’s kingdom and Jesus. In vv.10-11, John describes his vision, as having heard a loud voice, commissioning him to write a letter and send it to the 7 churches. (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.) In vv.12-13, he looks back to see where the voice is coming from. He sees 7 gold lampstands and in their midst a man like the son of man (Jesus), wearing a long robe, etc. 2nd reading: Rev.1,9-11.12-13.17-19

15. John’s reaction of his vision and the giving of his mission (to write) 17 When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18 the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the netherworld. 19 Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards. In v. 17, Jesus touches him with his right hand and introduces himself as the first and the last (alpha and omega), the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. (refer to v.8, not in the reading) dead, now alive, v.18 holding keys (last judge) In v.19, John is asked to write. Previously the disciples are only asked to give witness, to heal, etc. If ever they wrote, it is because they volunteered to do so. This time, this disciple John is asked to write. God tells him to write what he has seen (past), what is happening (present) and what will happen (future). V.19. 2nd reading: Rev.1,9-11.12-13.17-19

16. Reflections on the second reading • The resurrected Christ manifests himself not only in Jerusalem, but also in the island of Patmos, away from Israel. • The resurrected Christ manifests himself not only to the original apostles, but also to the believers and the suffering witnesses who might not have seen Jesus. • Still, in times of persecution, exile, and seclusion, the risen Lord does not fail to give assignment to his faithful ones. • He asks him to write, not just to one community, but seven. • The scope of witnessing here is not limited to a single community but to many.

17. Reflections, con’t • The subject matter is not just what happened in the past, but what is happening right now and what will happen in the future. • Christian witnessing is broad, not limited to a singular time. • The Christian must be able to handle (interpret) the past, present and future (= to make understand God’s dealings with humankind). • No Christian should allow himself/herself to get stuck in just one moment, esp. in the past. • The Christians should have a lot of stories (about God’s saving acts) to tell and to write. • Do you also share your faith in writing? Do you contribute to your newsletters or to some serious magazines? Come on, you can do better than just lazily tagging at the Facebook.

18. Gospel Reading: John 20,19-31 • 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will notbelieve." 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said 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." 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. The focus is on the faith in the Risen Lord.

19. Gospel Reading: John 20,19-31 A simple outline Setting: Sunday and Jesus’ appearance • 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." The Doubting Thomas • 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Setting: Another Sunday, with Thomas • 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said 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 Believing Thomas • 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

20. Textual Context of John 20,19-31 Outline of NAB I. Prologue (1,1-18) II. The Book of Signs (1,9—12,50) III. The Book of Glory (13,1—20,31) IV. Epilogue: The Resurrection and Appearance in Galilee ((21,1-25) The Empty Tomb (20,1-10) Appearance to Mary Magdalene ( 20,11-18) Appearance to the disciples (20,19-23) Tomas (20,24-29) Conclusion (20,30-31)

21. Gospel Reading: John 20,19-31 Commentary In this text, we must observe how things change when Jesus appears. Setting: Sunday and Jesus’ appearance • 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." The Doubting Thomas • 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." In vv.19-20, the disposition of the disciples changes from fear to joy. (They were afraid… they rejoiced…) In v.21, Jesus repeats his greeting of peace and now he is sending them (in v.22) to forgive or retain sins. Here there is a change from being away from the people (hiding) to being personally with the people effecting God’s forgiveness (mission). The first to be notified of Jesus’ resurrection and appearance is Thomas, but he is skeptic. For him, it is not so much to see is to believe, but to touch is to believe. Very demanding!

22. Gospel Reading: John 20,19-31 Here, Jesus appears again for the sake of Thomas. He knows his needs. He appears in a similar setting/manner (doors locked, appearing, greetings of peace.) v.26 Jesus hones his attention on Thomas and encourages him to change from disbelief to faith. V.27 Setting: Another Sunday, with Thomas • 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said 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 Believing Thomas • 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. Thomas changes as desired. He expresses his conversion (belief) through these simple but all encompassing words unexpressed by any other disciple, “My God and my all!” v.28 The last 3 verses propose change (conversion to believe) to the readers. The last line gives the reason: to have life in his name.

23. Reflections on the gospel reading • Like Thomas, we Christians are called to believe in the resurrection of Christ. • Faith in the risen Lord must be shown in the joy (not fear) in our hearts and in our mission. • Not to go on mission is a sign of failure to grasp the meaning of our faith in the risen Lord. • Our mission is to extend God’s forgiveness of sins to others (salvation). • Christians who are holed up in their comforts, without a sense of responsibility, are not true believers in the Risen Lord. • They are nominal Christians (Christians in name only, irrelevant, good for nothing in the church).

24. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm • As usual, we try to seek the common elements of the 3 readings to help us focus our homilies and sharing. • The first reading describes the successful activities of the apostles (particularly Peter) and the response of many people. They become believers. • The psalm expresses belief that God has shown his mercy to the rejected one. • The second reading (Revelation) describes the mission of the exiled believer of the risen Lord to write for the churches (community of believers). • The gospel invites us to believe in the risen Christ.

25. How to develop your homily and sharing • The preacher is tasked to make the faith in the risen Lord more alive in our communities. • We presuppose that the people we are addressing to are already believers. • What we are supposed to do here is to challenge our listeners to be more active in their faith. • Active faith is expressed in joining in the liturgical celebrations of the Church, receiving the sacraments and doing charitable works.

26. But active in faith is much more than living the sacramental life and doing pious works. What is to be more active in faith? Let’s take the cue from the readings.

27. In the first reading, like the believer, Peter, we must preach Jesus and continue Jesus’ ministry of preaching, healing and exorcism. We must contribute to the increase of believers and practicing catholics. The Legionaries or some mandated organizations do not monopolize the work of scouting people who have not been baptized, confirmed, married in Church… or, have not received the sacraments. We can increase our number by working very hard (in an organized way) and by talking less. In the meetings, we can give an accounting of how many people we have convinced to go to church.

28. Like John, the author of Apocalypse, in the second reading, we must continue giving witness to the risen Lord through writing or dissemination of materials to the Christian communities. Writing nowadays can be done not only through newsletters, but texting, developing a worthwhile website, multimedia productions, Facebook, Twitter, etc. We must be creative how to express our faith. Our writings, compositions and artistic works (paintings, sculptures) must be done well in order to gain respect even from unbelievers.

29. Like John, the author of the gospel, we must be able to give an account of our spiritual journey to others, so that they too may come to believe and have eternal life. Those who have been in the church for a long time should stop acting like doubting Thomases, if there are. We believe even if we don’t understand yet. We will never fully understand anyway. We should roll up our sleeves and begin working seriously as true and dedicated believers. According to tradition, St. Thomas went on mission and made a lot of conversions in Persia (Iran) and India.

30. There are still many Thomases today who need assistance in their journey to faith (personalized special intervention, accompaniment, catechesis, indoctrination, formation, etc.). These modern Thomases might have encountered the smart members of other religious denominations and have become confused with their feeble faith or have undergone a terrible crisis in life. Here we need good spiritual directors, guides and advisers, and support groups to handle them. Support groups are those which can professionally help lead the inquisitive or confused brothers back to the true and active Catholic faith.

31. On the part of the pastors (priests), supposedly the number one believers, they should invest more time and money with people who are willing to do mission and evangelization. Gone should be the days when the church spend so much time and money for socials, outings, and frequent eat-outs. Those are the needs of the rich and the famous. In this Year of Faith, let us not waste our time doing trivial things. Pope Francis was told, “Don’t forget the poor.” We too are told. Let us engage in the New Evangelization. The Synod of Bishops of 2012 speaks of many Samaritan women (people) carrying their empty buckets (Point 1), thirsting for life giving water of Jesus.

32. Evangelization and mission should be the main concern of all parishioners. Each mandated organization should examine itself, if it still exists for others. If it exists only for itself, it should disintegrate. It has no right to be represented in the parish pastoral council. Its faith is dead.

33. In the eucharist, we encounter the risen Christ. • The eucharist makes our faith in the risen Lord truly alive. • The eucharist strengthens us in our mission and evangelization work and makes us credible in our witnessing.

34. Skepticism Nominal Catholics Too much singing during charismatic meetings, without time for substantial inputs Formators / educators without updating Mandated organizations which have turned into a club (for themselves), detached from the mainstream of the parish, thus outdated, in-breeding, comfortable only with themselves, narcissitic Strong catechetical program Solid faith, solid theological formation Aral (educated, trained) Strong missionary spirit Missionaries inter gentes and ad gentes Intelligent and hard working parishioners Social services Our Context of Sin and Grace The End

35. SuggestedSongs • Come Build My Church • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZugkzkgjDk • Come To Me • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID90ryPYU00 • Go Tell Everyone • Isang Pananampalataya