As the Father has sent me

SUNDAY 19 APRIL (Jn 20,19-31)

Let us listen to some truths Jesus pronounces on himself in the Gospel according to John. We will understand the truth of the apostolic mission: “No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him” (Jn 1,18). Christ Jesus dwell in the womb of the Father. The Apostle also must live in the womb of Christ. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3,16). Christ Jesus is the gift of the Father. The Apostle is the gift of Christ for the salvation and redemption of the world. If he is a gift, he must let himself be given for the life of his brothers at every moment. “For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him” (Jn 3,34-36). Christ Jesus give the Spirit without measure. The Apostle also must give the Spirit without measure. This is why he must devote himself to the ministry of the Word and to prayer.

Jesus is the Father’s disciple. The Apostle must be the disciple of Christ. Every day, he must learn from Jesus the things he must do, but also those he must not do: “Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, a son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees his father doing; for what he does, his son will do also. For the Father loves his Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed” (Jn 5,19-20). The Father places his seal of truth and eternal life on Jesus. Jesus also must always put his seal on the Apostle. He must attest that the Word of the Apostle is his Word. “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal” (Jn 6,27). Jesus talks listening to the Father. The Apostle also must talk listening to Christ Jesus: “I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world” (Jn 8,26). Jesus and the Father are one. The Apostle and Jesus must also be one: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one” ” (Jn 10,27-30). The Father’s mystery is in the heart of Jesus. The mystery of Jesus must be in the heart of the Apostle. There is no mission so high and divine on earth.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (Jesus) said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, 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.” Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

When the Apostle looks away from Christ Jesus, the earth attracts him, the world seduces him and men conquer him. His mission is no longer of salvation. He has detached himself from the source of his truth. It is urgent to return to the bosom of Christ and remain there.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints, give to the Church Apostles according to the heart of Christ Jesus.