Dear OLA Parish Family,

 

Jesus revealed the glory of His resurrection to His disciples. Even after the apostles saw the empty tomb, they were still weak in faith and afraid of being arrested by the Jewish authorities. When Jesus appeared to them, He offered proof of His resurrection by showing them His pierced hands and side. He calmed their fears and brought them peace. “He breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit” and sent them out to proclaim the word of God. The sending out of the disciples is parallel to God sending out Jesus. 

 

The apostle Thomas was a natural pessimist. He doubted the women who saw the resurrected Jesus and his fellow apostles. When Thomas joined the other apostles, Jesus appeared again and reassured him that He had overcome death and risen again. Thomas recognized Jesus and exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”  Through the gift of faith, we, too, proclaim that Jesus is our savior, “My Lord, and my God.” Just as Jesus gave His disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit, He breathes on us the same Holy Spirit so that we may know him personally and walk in His way of life through the power of His resurrection!

 

Have a blessed day.

 

Yours in Christ,

Father Edward Domme