Reflection for Sunday – April 12, 2026

Gloria UlterinoSunday Readings Homilies

Readings: Acts 2: 42-47; 1 Peter 1: 3-9; John 20: 19-31 
Preacher: Gloria Ulterino

As I look out my office window, it’s snowing!  In April!  Here in the Rochester, NY area!  While skiers may be happy, I am not!  No!  I’m eager for spring, for warm weather, flowers, and all that new life can offer, right here and right now.

What, then, am I to do?  What might others need to do, who also feel discouraged, overwhelmed, unable to enjoy these desires of the heart? 

 I don’t know, except to offer these few thoughts.  Through technology beyond our imagination (at least for most of us), we are assured that our astronauts have already traveled beyond the far side of our moon, further than any of us humans have traveled.  They have already sent us pictures of that desolated view, pictures that are totally new to us alive right now.  And those pictures continue to pose questions for us all. 

For example, the upcoming readings for the Second Sunday of Easter offer us visions of life … and new birth … and living hope: because the resurrection of Jesus from the dead already promises us life that is “imperishable … and unfading,” according to the ancient first Letter of Peter.  Of course, Peter- the- realist goes on to acknowledge (from a long-gone day of old) that we “may have to suffer through various trials” before we experience that absolute certainty of faith.  In short, despite our inability to experience the joy of actually seeing our God of love, we can still discover the joy for which we yearn.  How on earth, or well beyond the earth, is that possible, for us, right here and now?

 For myself, I love the realism of the person who crafted Psalm 118.  He admits that he has been “hard pressed and failing,” though we cannot be certain why.  At this point, I continue to remember the difficulties I have experienced, over and over again.  Perhaps of trying to understand and get along with difficult people … or dealing with an old injury that fails to be completely healed … or trying to be more patient in the midst of ongoing struggles.  Does any of that sound familiar?

 Today’s Gospel points to signs of hope for each of us, right here and right now.  Jesus has been raised from the dead!  Life beyond our human understanding—even with all our medical and technological advances—is already a reality.  And John continues to assure us: that new life overtakes us when we offer and receive forgiveness for our sins.  And yet, Thomas protests!  (Isn’t there always a Thomas within us or among us?)  “I wasn’t there!  I didn’t see Jesus, in person!”  Or hear him … or have Jesus touch him! 

 I just don’t know how this is possible.  But John, the patiently powerful evangelist, continues speaking to each of us.  Jesus has given us sign after sign after sign of life, well beyond human understanding.  In the end, we are simply asked to believe: Jesus is the Son of God, The Only One capable of giving us the life that we so desperately need.  And it might look different for you than it does for me.  But, ultimately, here’s the question: do we believe this?

I can only say this: Yes, I have experienced moments of breakthrough, of knowing the goodness and healing and love of God, beyond all doubt.  Not only that, I sincerely hope that the same is true for you. 

Gloria Ulterino
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