SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

John 20, 19 – 31

This chapter of St. John’s Gospel presents the different reactions to the great event of the Resurrection: the perplexity of Peter, the instant faith of the Beloved Disciple, Mary Magdalene’s need to see and hear, the stubborn refusal of Thomas. These accounts accent the fact that the risen Lord was truly Jesus of Nazareth, the same yet different.

The disciples receive the Holy Spirit at this second coming of Jesus; the future is already present. Here is an encounter with Jesus and the believing community. Jesus re-creates his community by breathing on them the Holy Spirit; and thereby the believing community also becomes a healing community.

The doubting Thomas needed healing very much. He was not with the happy disciples; he was still struck with the crucifixion, which only confirmed his earlier pessimism. The Passion was stuck in his gizzard, making him retreat into a self-created loneliness. Jesus would draw him out of his disappointment and loneliness. Once in the group, Thomas is invited to touch the wounds, as he had demanded in his stubborn isolation; and touching the wounds, he is led into the fresh expanse of the resurrection. Thomas’ own wounds are healed, and with profound conviction he makes his profession of faith, “My Lord and my God.” The wounds of Good Friday had become the joyous bells of Easter. From now on, Thomas would also be a healer, with faith in God’s power and confidence in himself. Fortunately for him, Thomas had the good sense to accept the invitation of Jesus, “Come and touch my wounds.”

Let me tell you the story of a learned Pundit, who lived on a tiny river island. People from all over the world came by land and sea to hear his words of faith and wisdom. Every morning a little village girl would bring him a pot of milk. But she began to arrive late, which annoyed the learned man very much. “Why can’t you come in time ?” he asked. The girl explained, “Because I have to cross the river by boat. Sometimes the boat is not there; sometimes the boat is there, but not the boatman.” “You silly girl,” said the holy Pundit, “don’t you make excuses. You ought to know that people cross the oceans reciting God’s name to come here. What’s crossing a small river. Now go away and don’t be late !” The little milkmaid said, “Yes, Punditji, I’ll do as you say.” The next morning the little milkmaid was on the dot. “How did you make it ? Was the boat on time ?”  “There was no boat,” she said, “so walked it.” “You walked on the water ? Don’t be absurd, girl.” “No, Punditji, I did as you said, cross the water reciting God’s name ! Here’s your milk, and I’m going back the same way, reciting God’s name.” As she was about to go through the door, she turned and said, “And Punditji, you can do the same.” Late that evening that holy man went to the river’s edge, recited God’s name, stepped into the river and fell in ! He didn’t believe in the faith he preached to others.

Could it be that like the learned Pundit we don’t believe with the heart what we proclaim with our lips ? I suppose some of us are like that: we don’t practice what we preach. That’s why we get gallstones, kidney stones and headstones ! Often we are divided in ourselves. Part of us believes, but part of us battles with doubts, Our faith is constantly under attack. We live in a culture that believes only what it can see and touch. Actually our faith is more robust than we think. Sometimes shaken and wounded by suffering and disappointment, but still there.

 Jesus invites us to touch and feel him and be reassured.

The great St. Teresa of Avila said, “When this spouse (Our Lord) is pleased to caress souls, the soul seems to be suspended in those divine arms and rest on that divine side; she does nothing but delight….caressed by him. She does not know what to compare it to, except the caressing of a mother that tenderly loving her infant, nurses and fondles him.”

We must take note of our feelings, listen to them, and allow God’s word to speak into them. Opening up to God’s healing touch brings about the welcome integration of body, mind and spirit, which energizes and inspires.

PRAYER (Michael John Radford Counsell)

Risen Christ, you came to your disciples in the evening of the first day of the week. Forgive us when, like Thomas, we hug our doubts and worries to ourselves. Grant us such a hunger for the fellowship of those who believe in you, that no excuses may prevent us from meeting together in the evening stillness. Then may we find you standing among us, to strengthen us and send us out in your service; for are alive and reign, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.