The Risen Lord is the one who always comes from the Father's side (John 1:18). He comes as the Word (cf. Isaiah 55:11; John 1:11; 3:14) and as the Bread from heaven (John 6:51). One of the peculiarities of the gospel of John is that the Risen Lord ascended right after He resurrected (cf. John 20:17). When he appears to his disciples that evening, he already comes as the one who stands "in the midst" of the brothers (cf. Psalm 22:23). From that moment on he comes to us from the Father's side as we are gathered for the Sunday eucharist.
Read the following articles and use the this guide for your reflection.
Relevant articles:
1. Thomas disbelieved that the Lord came that first Sunday. The reason given is simple: he was absent from the assembly of the disciples.
Reflect. Jesus is "the one who comes down". He comes down to be with his disciples: "where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there with them in their midst", he said. He does this when the disciples are gathered on the Lord's Day, he Kyriake -- Sunday. Just as he came on that first Sunday where the disciples were gathered, so he comes every time the Word is proclaimed and the Bread from Heaven is given. Thomas was absent during that first Sunday, and so he could not believe. How much do you value the Sunday gathering of the Church?
2. The Risen Christ comes to his disciples and stands in their midst. He greets them with a standard Jewish greeting that from His mouth is transformed. "Peace be with you." It is no longer the peace of God's future -- as the Jews have it -- but the Peace that the Risen Lord has won for those He loves, his friends, and more, his brothers.
Reflect. We receive the peace that only the Lord can give during the Mass. And we receive it from the persons who sit beside us and we give it to them. That peace comes with a pledge: that one gives the peace one has received from the Lord within the context formed by a shared commitment in creating a space in this world where the Lord reigns. In other words, one does not merely repeat the greeting; one gives it as the fruit of the life the Risen Lord has made one share in.
The fruit of the Lord's righteousness which has been given me is peace. How do I make that peace become a transforming element in my life with my family, my co-workers, my friends and my society?
3. "Blessed are they who have not seen yet believe." The Lord looks beyond Thomas and sees us. Peter repeats this observation in a different context:
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Reflect. We don't have a second-class faith. As far as attachment to the Lord is concerned, as far as love, loyalty and fidelity is concerned, we are like the first disciples. How do you propose to live the Easter faith that you recently renewed?
