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Gospel Reading for April 12, 2026 – John 20: 19-31
PROOF
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 nailmarks 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 Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
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“Peace be with you”—these were the first words of Jesus. Peace, so they would not feel ashamed or embarrassed for having abandoned him when he needed them most. Peace, to drive away all their fear of the Jews. Peace, because despite their unworthiness, Jesus still sends them forth just as the Father had sent him.
Despite the testimony of the other disciples, Thomas did not believe and asked for more PROOF that Jesus was truly alive. Thus, he came to be known as “Doubting Thomas.” But we, as Christians, cannot be doubting Thomases in the practice of our faith. We receive PROOF of God’s existence and love when we learn to see the events of our lives with the eyes of our hearts. Indeed, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord—we want to see you always!
