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Sunday, April 6, 1997

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2nd Sunday of Easter


Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 118
1 John 5:1-6
John 20:19-31

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"all for one and one for all"

"Thomas said in response, 'My Lord and my God!' " —John 20:28

The apostles left all they had owned to become Jesus' disciples (Lk 18:28). They did not just go to Church, say prayers, and do good; rather, they devoted three years of their lives to walking and talking with Jesus every day. Nevertheless, the apostles had not yet even begun to be Christian. They had not even obeyed the first commandment of all. They did not love God with all their hearts, all their souls, all their minds, and all their strength (Mt 22:37). This became obvious when they abandoned Jesus before He was crucified, and when they remained locked in the upper room after meeting the risen Christ (see Jn 20:19, 26).

A week after His resurrection, Jesus came to His apostles who had given much, but not all. He told Thomas and all of them and us: "Do not persist in your unbelief, but believe!" (Jn 20:27) Thomas responded by giving not only more but all. He later became a missionary and martyr in India.

When are we going to quit playing religious games and begin living the Christian life by giving all? Will we surrender all to Jesus this Easter season, on this Easter day? Jesus gave His all for us on Calvary. He doesn't want years of our lives; He wants our lives. Pray and live: "Jesus, 'my Lord and my God,' I give You my all" (see Jn 20:28).

Prayer:  Jesus, my Lord, my God, my ALL, have mercy on me.

Promise:  "The community of believers were of one heart and one mind. None of them ever claimed anything as his own; rather, everything was held in common. With power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus." —Acts 4:32-33

Praise:  Alleluia! "The Lord has been raised! It is true!" (Lk 24:34) "This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it" (Ps 118:24). Alleluia!

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 9, 1996


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 15, 1996