On this second Sunday of Easter we thank God for the faith we have received through our mother, the Church.  We do not come to believe on our own.  The faith comes to us as a gift-- first from God who calls us, and then from those who went before us and witnessed to the Risen Jesus in their lives and in ours'.  Today we hear the story of Thomas who loved the Lord so much, that he could not believe the story of the apostles who claimed to have seen the Jesus alive.  A few days earlier Thomas willingly went to Bethany to die with Christ at the funeral of Lazarus. The events of the Passion left Thomas devastated.  Instead of defending his Lord, Thomas and the others abandoned him.  He was inconsolable.  His solitary faith was not strong enough.  In his isolation, Thomas could not believe.  It was only when he returned to the apostolic community that Christ could heal his unbelief. 

            The same is true for us.  When people ask, "why do I have to go to church?"  The answer should be obvious!  Because we are the church!  No human being comes into this world by his or her own willing it, we are born by the will of God and the cooperation of our parents.  We cannot grow up in isolation.  We need the care and education of a family to bring us to adulthood.  So it is with our faith.  When we are weak, the community of faith gives us strength.  When we are strong we share that faith with those who are in need. 

            During this Easter season we rejoice in the Good News of the Resurrection.  Let us remember that this is not our private good news.  Many generations of Christians have lived, suffered and died in order to share the Good News with us.  In this season we rejoice that we are able to do the same.  Think about something special you can do to share your faith right now in your life.  How can you be one of Jesus' disciples in mission?