20250427 Second Sunday of Easter

Readings at USCCB.org 
 

Believing Without Seeing

Growing up, I did not understand faith let alone that I was even Catholic, I thought I was just someone that went to church on Sundays and went out to the cemetery and prayed at my Lola's grave and because I was good, we got McDonald’s as a treat. 

As I got older and started to altar serve and get more involved in church, I gained a better understanding and appreciation of my faith. Looking back now almost 19 years since I received the Sacrament of Confirmation administered by then Bishop of Oakland, Allen H. Vigneron, my eyes have been opened, and I truly believe not only in Jesus Christ Our Lord but in Our Catholic Faith.

This week’s Gospel is truly that: believing without seeing. I hope and pray that I would have been like the disciples that believed without seeing, the logical brain in me knows that I would really be Doubting Thomas that I would need to place my finger in the nail marks and my hand in Jesus Side to really believe. That is okay I am human; we are all human that is the Power of the Holy Spirit to grant us the opportunity to believe without seeing. Diving Mercy Sunday or the 2nd Sunday of Easter is a special Feast Day because it is when Jesus appears to his Disciples and gives them the Holy Spirt, the Third and Final Person in the 3 Person 1 God that we believe. We are weeks away from you standing up in front of your family and our community and you professing the Faith that you have been professing all along. Confirmation is when we receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit but you have them in you all along its just now that you can really share those gifts with the world and proceed with your Head held high and your heart open to Gods Love.

Now to address the Elephant in the room: On Easter Monday our Church returned our Sheperd to His Father’s House, with the unexpected passing of Pope Francis, Pope Francis although may seem like a far-off celebrity, but on the contrary, Pope Francis lifelong message can be summed up by this quote: 

“Rivers do not drink their own water; 
trees do not eat their own fruit; 
the sun does not shine on itself, 
and flowers do not spread their fragrances for themselves. 

Living for others is a rule of nature, 
We are all born to help each other. 
No matter how difficult it is… 
Life is good when you are happy; 
but much better when others are happy because of you.” 
-- Pope Francis.

His memory and legacy of Mercy to all especially the poor and the marginalized will be something that I will always remember, and I hope that we as and Easter People can continue his message in our own lives and community.

As I wrap up my thoughts I want to offer a prayer for all of you Confrimandi, Go forth in the world sharing the Love of God and with the example of Pope Francis share in Gods Mercy, May the choir of Angels Lead our beloved Pope Francis to Paradise and may the Holy Spirit guide you to practice our faith with Love and energy, You are not the church of Tomorrow you are the Church of Today. Go and share the Gospel with all that you meet.

--Collins