The gospel — John 20:19-31 — tells of two appearances of Jesus after his resurrection. The first takes place on the evening of the first Easter Sunday, and the second a week later, which would be this Sunday. Thomas’ absence on the first occasion, his doubting of what he was told, his subsequent presence and vision of the Lord, with his enthusiastic proclamation of Jesus as not only his Lord but also God, serve as an encouragement to hearers of the gospel to believe. Beyond that, it is an instance of God’s mercy. When Thomas doubts, God does not condemn him or dismiss him from the company of the apostles. He mercifully calls Thomas to faith, just as he mercifully forgives Peter for his denials. So it is with us: God mercifully calls us to repentance and forgiveness — a forgiveness which the conferral of the Holy Spirit on the apostles enables the Church to extend on God’s own authority.
It is also worth noting that Jesus gives his disciples the power to forgive (or retain) sins. Clearly, this is not something they have in their own right. Jesus' sacrifice is what obtains forgiveness, and he has the power to extend that forgiveness. Now he indicates that he will exercise that power through them, sacramentally. We believe that in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also called Penance or Confession) this power is exercised. Of course God can forgive sins at any time apart from this sacrament, but we have the promise that he does so when the sacrament is received.
One other point worth noting is that the other apostles are no better than Thomas. Like him, they came to believe when they saw Jesus, a week earlier than Thomas. But it is Thomas who acknowledges Jesus as God.
I had intended to write a little something about the first two readings for April 19 — Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Peter 1:3-9 — but rather than delay this any further, I'll just post this about the gospel. You're always free to look up the other readings and see what they say to you.
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