Do not be unbelieving but believe

Second Sunday of Easter John 20, 19-31 Some people need proof for everything. They won't believe it's raining if they go outside and get wet. They don’t think the salsa is spicy unless they taste it. Or that the paint is wet unless they touch it. They don’t believe the news but call it fake news. If they are giving away food, they won’t believe unless they get something to eat. They don’t believe the word of their husband if their compadre was not the witness. They just can't believe. They have to see in order to believe. Obviously Thomas is one of these guys. He did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Some of the disciples had seen the Risen Lord, they told Thomas but he didn’t believe. He needed proof, he wanted to see for himself. Last Sunday, Easter Sunday, the gospel was from Luke. I pointed out that the Angels scolded the women because they were looking for Jesus among the dead. "Why do you look for the one who is living among the dead?" I said if we are going to find Jesus, we have to be a living church. We must be full of life if we are going to find Jesus here in our midst. I offered two ways that we can be a church of life; the first was to be a church where everyone is welcome. That everyone feels they are a part of the community, without distinction. Traditional families and not very traditional families. Married and divorced. Poor and rich. Immigrants and citizens, young and old. If someone is excluded we are not a church of life. We will not find Jesus in our midst. The second is that we must have life giving ministries. Ministries that embrace all aspects of the community, and our ministers must feel supported and be properly trained. I said that we have to give food to the hungry, visit the sick, comfort those who have lost a loved one. I said that we need to have good liturgies. That's why I'm so happy with the choir, after two years it's time to have choirs again, communion ministers, readers, greeters, altar servers. They are all very important and signs that Christ is alive here at Saint Mary’s We must have good catechesis not only for those who are preparing for sacraments, but for the whole family. The RCIA is so important, and it's good that today we have 9 candidates for confirmation this morning. I said that true ministry is not just doing things for you, but we Redemptorists must commit to being partners in ministry with you. Especially for the young. We cannot complain that they aren’t here, blaming them for their absence but we have to ensure that they have a reason to come. I have said that we Redemptorists must work with you by sharing our spirituality so that you are partners in our mission to evangelize the poor. I am convinced if we do this, we will be a life-giving community. We will be a community where the risen Jesus can be found. So, for those who need proof, I say come here to Saint Mary and find the risen Jesus. Put your finger here and see Jesus’ hands. Take your hand here, put it into our side. Do not be unbelieving but believe.