to: all of my friends
from: Father Bill Muench
This will be a rather quiet weekend around my town. The School Spring break has begun – and I suspect half the town has headed down south. I do ask for your continued prayers for my sister-in-law, Mary Lee, Tom’s wife – she is undergoing more surgery.
Second Sunday of Easter
Each year on this Second Sunday after Easter – we read from the Gospel of John, the story of St. Thomas the Apostle’s doubting. I suspect that Thomas, up there in Heaven, is probably shaking his head and wondering why us down here are still retelling that story. As you may remember – Jesus appears to the disciples – he greets them twice saying, “Peace be with you.” The Gospel tells us that he shows the disciples his hands and side – the wounds he has received there. Then he commissions them, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” – and he prays that they receive the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins.
The Gospel story then remembers that Thomas was not present when Jesus came – this first time. He does return later – I wonder if Thomas was going through some questioning of his call and ministry – after the crucifixion of Jesus. He refuses to believe the disciples about Jesus’ appearance – “Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Then, the Gospel tells us that a week later – again, a Sunday – Jesus appears again – Thomas is there – again, Jesus greets them, “Peace be with you.” – and then invites Thomas to come up and touch him – Thomas simply drops to his knees and says, “My Lord and my God” – Jesus response is a lesson for Thomas and us – “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
The crucifixion of Jesus threatened the value and meaning of the community of the disciples and apostles – their faith was certainly tested. Jesus comes to them to strengthen their faith – the Gospel makes a point of telling us that Jesus shows them his wounds to identify himself and to demonstrate to them the proof of his love for them. Love is proved by deeds.
Thomas doubts – there are some who look on doubts as a sign of weakness – many may even feel guilty because they doubt about something – but doubts can be a growing point – a stepping stone to understanding. This was noted by Thomas Merton, he writes, “The man of faith who has never experienced doubt is not a man of faith.”
Every community could use a Thomas – someone who has the courage to ask questions. They may annoy some of us – but they do make us think. There are many who doubt about God and Jesus and the Catholic Church. Our task – as followers of Jesus – as Catholics – is to make Christ visible in the world. The only way people – especially those who are full of doubts – will be converted to belief is if they can ‘see’ Jesus and ‘touch’ Jesus in his followers. But if his followers have no wounds of love to show them, the unbelievers are not likely to be convinced. All should be able to see our faith in Jesus in the lives we live – and in the wounds and sacrifices that we have won as we follow the Savior who lived, suffered and died for us – leading to his Resurrection.
LET US PRAY
Almighty God, my Father – guide and lead me – that my follow Jesus – unafraid of the difficulties and sufferings and wounds that this may involve – so that I may discover the full joy of being a Catholic and Christian. This is my prayer. Amen.
Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer
Second Sunday of Easter
Each year on this Second Sunday after Easter – we read from the Gospel of John, the story of St. Thomas the Apostle’s doubting. I suspect that Thomas, up there in Heaven, is probably shaking his head and wondering why us down here are still retelling that story. As you may remember – Jesus appears to the disciples – he greets them twice saying, “Peace be with you.” The Gospel tells us that he shows the disciples his hands and side – the wounds he has received there. Then he commissions them, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” – and he prays that they receive the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins.
The Gospel story then remembers that Thomas was not present when Jesus came – this first time. He does return later – I wonder if Thomas was going through some questioning of his call and ministry – after the crucifixion of Jesus. He refuses to believe the disciples about Jesus’ appearance – “Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Then, the Gospel tells us that a week later – again, a Sunday – Jesus appears again – Thomas is there – again, Jesus greets them, “Peace be with you.” – and then invites Thomas to come up and touch him – Thomas simply drops to his knees and says, “My Lord and my God” – Jesus response is a lesson for Thomas and us – “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
The crucifixion of Jesus threatened the value and meaning of the community of the disciples and apostles – their faith was certainly tested. Jesus comes to them to strengthen their faith – the Gospel makes a point of telling us that Jesus shows them his wounds to identify himself and to demonstrate to them the proof of his love for them. Love is proved by deeds.
Thomas doubts – there are some who look on doubts as a sign of weakness – many may even feel guilty because they doubt about something – but doubts can be a growing point – a stepping stone to understanding. This was noted by Thomas Merton, he writes, “The man of faith who has never experienced doubt is not a man of faith.”
Every community could use a Thomas – someone who has the courage to ask questions. They may annoy some of us – but they do make us think. There are many who doubt about God and Jesus and the Catholic Church. Our task – as followers of Jesus – as Catholics – is to make Christ visible in the world. The only way people – especially those who are full of doubts – will be converted to belief is if they can ‘see’ Jesus and ‘touch’ Jesus in his followers. But if his followers have no wounds of love to show them, the unbelievers are not likely to be convinced. All should be able to see our faith in Jesus in the lives we live – and in the wounds and sacrifices that we have won as we follow the Savior who lived, suffered and died for us – leading to his Resurrection.
LET US PRAY
Almighty God, my Father – guide and lead me – that my follow Jesus – unafraid of the difficulties and sufferings and wounds that this may involve – so that I may discover the full joy of being a Catholic and Christian. This is my prayer. Amen.
Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer
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