Weekend Mass

Dear Beloved Family of St. Anselm,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, the risen Lord appeared to the Apostles, who were gathered in one place. There is surely joy to be found in a personal relationship with Jesus, but the Lord also announced a special presence whenever two or three are gathered in His name. Let’s look at today’s Gospel in five stages. I. Fearful Fellowship– Notice how the text describes the gathering of the Apostles: On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews …. These men are frightened, but they are in the right place. It is not uncommon for those who have “stuff” going on in their lives to retreat, withdraw, and even hide. This is probably the worst thing that one can do. In our trials, it is of critical importance that we gather each Sunday, praying and encouraging one another. 

II. Fabulous Fact –The text says, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Suddenly there is a completely new reality, a new hope, a new vision. Not only do they see and come to experience an entirely new reality, but they also receive an inner peace. Observe again that this is only for those who are present. This is the basic purpose of the gathering we call the Sacred Liturgy. It is here that we are invited to encounter the living Lord, who ministers to us and offers us peace. Is your experience of the Mass a transformative reality?

III. Forgiving Fidelity –The text says, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” In this remarkable moment, the Lord gives the Apostles the power to forgive sin. There are those who deny that Confession is a biblical sacrament, but here it is in today’s Gospel. Many consider it sufficient to speak to God privately about their sins, but the Scriptures instruct us away from such a solitary notion and bid us to approach the Church. 

IV. Faltering Fellowship – Thomas is not with the other Apostles on resurrection evening and exhibits faltering fellowship by refusing to believe the testimony of the Church that the Lord has risen. In the Creed every Sunday we profess to believe in God the Father and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, and to believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life. We go on to say that we believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Note that Thomas must return to gather with the others to overcome his struggle with faith.

V. Firmer Faith – Thomas then returns to fellowship with the other Apostles and sees the Lord. When he was outside, he did not see and so he doubted. It is Christ’s will to gather us and unite us (Jn 17:21). Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor (The love of Christ has gathered us in one). 

Amen.