WHO CAN OVERCOME THE WORLD?

II SUNDAY OF EASTER - Divine Mercy Sunday - John 20:19-31

In this Sunday’s liturgy, in the second reading taken from the First Letter of John, we can hear the following question being put to us: “Who can overcome the world?” (1 Jn 5:5) We may be puzzled by the word “world”. Does it mean the universe, the earth on which we live or simply humanity?

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ep 2:1-2). In the gospel of John, we can find Jesus claiming: “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” (Jn 12:31). Indeed, with Jesus’ death and resurrection “the ruler of this world is judged.” (Jn 16:11). Thus speaking of the “world”, John is speaking of humanity ruled by the power of evil, that is humanity that has rejected God and established itself as the only source of legitimacy and righteousness. The “world” refers to humanity guided by inverted values, humanity that praises selfishness, pride, lust, wealth and power. The “world” is humanity that blindly pursues the road that takes it to self-destruction. Is there a way out of the bottomless pit in which we have fallen? Only Jesus Christ can redeem us, pulling us out and raising us up. He alone is the Saviour given to us by God because he alone is the faithful One, who has defeated the ruler of this world.

In his first letter, John answers his question: Only the ones who believe that “Jesus is the Son of God” can overcome the world, finding the straight road to salvation. In this Sunday’s gospel, we find the journey of faith of Thomas, “called the Twin”. Being absent from the community’s assembly, he refused to accept the testimony of his friends. To believe, he demanded to see, touch and measure. When Jesus came to him during the community gathering, he was scolded for his lack of faith. However, taking into account his search for the truth, Jesus allowed him to touch his body and feel through his fingers the reality of Jesus’ wounds. To belong to the new world established in the Risen Christ, we must believe that he is the Son of God, who suffered death for us on the cross and then rose to life, thus affirming his power to save. In him, we are reconciled with God, being able to give thanks and praise for God’s loving mercy. The community of disciples received from the Risen Christ the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of the Lord - to take away our sins and reconcile us with God. This reconciliation must be shown forth in a reconciled community - the community of disciples, the Church of Jesus Christ, which is guided by the Spirit and not by the values of the world. In the first reading, the Acts of the Apostles present a community that has Christ as the cornerstone. In that community, we find solidarity and communion instead of selfishness and division. We must learn love and mercy from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And we must be merciful as our Father in heaven is merciful (Lk 6:36).