Matthew 11:25-30

25 At that time Jesus said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned.  

26 Yes, Father, this was how you were pleased to have it happen.

27 “My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.

30 For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.”

Reflection:

          Our Lord Jesus Christ gave thanks to the Father. For all the gifts He gave. For raising the humble ones up and putting the arrogant down. Jesus calls everyone who is tired from carrying heavy loads or sacrificing because he will give them rest and a life that is full of love. Bring you to a place that everyone knows how to appreciate, love, and forgive where you can be happy. Whoever wants to be with God will take His way, reflect on His words. Be like Him who is gentle and humble. Every challenge or test that He will give us can be resolved and the tasks He will give are ways to eternal life.

          

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

19 It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said.

20 After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord.

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.”

22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

23 If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came.

25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!”

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!”

30 In his disciples' presence Jesus performed many other miracles which are not written down in this book.

31 But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.

Reflection:

          Thomas didn’t believe until the time he saw and touched Jesus. Many of us are like Thomas. Many of us will not believe unless it doesn’t really happen. We believe in a popular saying, “To see is to believe.” But as we take the journey as part of Christian community, reading the divine word of God and by the miracles He has done, I can say that our faith teaches the other way by saying. “Believe and you will see”. Meaning that in order to witness God’s mercy, faith must come first. It is like trusting yourself to find an Oasis in the middle of the dessert, without the assurance to survive.  Do you ever asked yourself or wonder if Jesus Christ truly existed? Do you used to question your faith? It is normal to doubt. It means that you are taking your faith seriously. ”How happy are those who believe without seeing me!” says the Lord.

          

Gospel Reading: Mark 16:1-7

After the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices to go and anoint the body of Jesus. 

2 Very early on Sunday morning, at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 

3-4  On the way they said to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” (It was a very large stone.) Then they looked up and saw that the stone had already been rolled back. 

5 So they entered the tomb, where they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe—and they were alarmed.

6 “Don't be alarmed,” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here—he has been raised! Look, here is the place where he was placed. 

7 Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter: ‘He is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see him, just as he told you.’”

Reflection:

          Jesus died and risen for us. The most obedient, loving, caring and merciful Son of God sacrificed
his own life for all of us. He resurrected and was seated at the right hand of the Father. God the Father sent Jesus here on Earth to dwell with us; to be an inspiration for us. He became man to guide us on our way to eternity. To be an example or a role model.

          So we humans should be thankful for all the gifts that God gave us. Giving thanks as simple as serving the community. Dedicating a time talking to God every day. Providing a moment of silence for meditation. Obeying the will of God. Following His ways and deeds.

          “Now go and give this message to his disciples” As the angel have said, let us proclaim His resurrection. But not just only His resurrection. Let us proclaim the mystery of our faith, His miracles and His life. Proclaim not only to believers, but to the whole world. Especially to those who doesn’t know Him. Share the good thoughts to your friends. Inspirational words that comes from the heart because that is the place where God talks to you. Be proud that you found God. Divulge the mystery of our faith!