2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine
Mercy)
Fr. Philip Neri Powell, OP
Our Lady of the Rosary, NOLA
What
do we know about Thomas? He's one of the Twelve disciples chosen by
Christ to serve as apostles. He's called Didymus b/c he has a twin
brother. And we know that he is absent on the night that the Risen
Lord appears to his apostles. Oh, and we know that despite having
lived and died more than 2,000 years ago, he's a thoroughly modern
man. What makes him modern? When told by his friends that Jesus—dead
and buried for three days—appeared to them, Thomas proclaims a
thoroughly modern standard of truth: “Unless I see the mark of the
nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks. . .I will
not believe.” Modern philosophers and scientists would congratulate
Thomas for demanding such a sensible and obviously right-thinking
empirical standard for assenting to the truth of a claim. Jesus, on
the other hand, isn't impressed. Appearing among his apostles a week
later, Jesus allows Thomas to test his empirical standard. Now,
Thomas believes. Jesus, far from praising his student's rigid need
for proof, says, “Have you come to believe because you have seen
me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” No one
here has seen Jesus as Thomas did. Do we believe? And what difference
does it make if we do or do not believe?
It
might seem strange for a Catholic priest to ask a church-full of
Christians attending a Sunday Mass whether or not they believe in the
Risen Lord. Why would any of us be here if we didn't believe? Let me
suggest that there is a difference btw “believing that the
Lord is risen” and “believing in the Risen Lord.” Simply
believing that the Lord is risen is a matter of assent,
saying, “Yes, I believe that” when asked. Believing in the
Risen Lord is also a matter of assent—saying, “Yes, I believe
that”—but saying Yes to the Risen Lord entails a commitment far
more intimate and demanding that merely saying that he is risen. When
prompting Thomas to explore his wounds, Jesus says to him, “do not
be unbelieving, but believe.” How does Thomas respond? He doesn't
say, “I retract my earlier statement of disbelief and now assent to
the claim that you are risen.” No. He exclaims, “My Lord and my
God!” Believing in the Risen Lord commits us to submitting
ourselves to the rule and measure of Christ as the source and summit
of all that we are. A church-full of Christians can easily assent to
the fact that the Lord is risen w/o ever committing themselves to
being ruled by the Risen Lord. Doubt about the mechanics of the
resurrection is the smallest obstacle we face when it comes to
bending the knee to Christ our King.
How
does Thomas overcome his disbelief? Through Christ's mercy. It is b/c
he is merciful that Jesus allows Thomas to satisfy his doubts on his
own terms. We know that this is an act of mercy b/c Jesus says to
Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Our Lord could've very easily left Thomas stewing in his doubt, left
him outside the company of the blessed, and w/o the benefits of
genuine belief. Instead, Jesus shows him mercy. Thomas is charged
with the sin of disbelief, found guilty, and then pardoned; pardoned
for no other reason than for the sake of the Gospel. The Gospel needs
Thomas. And Peter and John and James and you and me. So, it is vital
that we are not unbelieving but believing, that we are
committed—heart, body, mind—to living under the rule and measure
of Christ; thinking every thought, speaking every word, doing every
deed for the sake of Christ and the spreading of his Good News. What
is the Good News of Christ? That God freely offers His abundant mercy
to all sinners. With repentance, we receive all that He generosity
provides through the once for all sacrifice of His Christ on the
cross. His mercy is our freedom from sin and our license to tell the
whole world that Christ is Lord and God!
Not
too long after this meeting btw Jesus and Thomas, the apostles find
themselves consumed by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and set upon the
world to preach the Good News and accomplish mighty deeds in Christ's
name. Luke tells us in Acts that “many signs and wonders
were done among the people at the hands of the apostles. . .the
people esteemed them. . .more than ever. . .great numbers of men and
women, were added to them.” What were these signs and wonders? What
exactly were the apostles doing and saying to bring so many to
Christ? We know from Acts that the apostles were preaching
God's mercy; baptizing those who repented; healing the sick and
injured; freeing souls from unclean spirits; teaching the Word and
breaking bread in memoriam. They were establishing the Lord's
household among those who answered Christ's call to follow him. Why
did they do these things? So that all may come to believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief they may
have life in his name. When we come to believe in the Risen Lord,
when we come to trust in his name, we too accomplish mighty deeds,
preach his Good News, and strengthen his household for all who answer
his call to repentance and holiness.
Do
you believe? And what difference does it make if you do or do not
believe? Do you call on his name in faith? And what difference does
it make if you do or do not? After appearing to Thomas and some of
the other disciples, Jesus reveals himself again at the Sea of
Tiberias. To this group of disciples, Jesus not only reveals himself
as the Risen Lord, he also reveals to them why it is necessary to
listen to and obey his commands. The disciples are fishing and not
having any luck. Jesus—disguised—tells the Beloved Disciple to
cast his net over the right side of the boat. He obeys. The catch is
so large that they can barely haul it in. At that moment, the B.D.
recognizes Jesus and says to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Note that
Jesus is unrecognizable to the disciples until the B.D. listens to
and obeys his commands. The miraculous haul of fish is a sign for the
B.D., and he instantly sees his Risen Lord. What difference does
belief make? Belief in Christ makes it possible for us to see his
words and deeds speaking and working in our lives. Belief in Christ
gives us the courage and strength necessary to repeat his words and
deeds, to put his words and deeds to work in building and fortifying
his royal household.
Belief
in the Risen Lord means submitting ourselves to Christ as our only
rule and measure. The disciples do not recognize the Lord on the road
to Emmaus. Nor when he visits them on the shore of the Sea of
Tiberias. Nor will Thomas believe that he is risen until he appears
in the flesh for inspection. Doubt, worry, fear, pride—all of these
cloud the disciples' eyes and plug up their ears. Btw Easter and
Pentecost the disciples find it difficult to recognize the Risen Lord
b/c they have yet to make Christ the rule and measure of their hearts
and minds. Here we are btw Easter morning and Pentecost. Does Christ
rule our lives? Do we measure our holiness against his? What does
anxiety measure? What does fear demand of its subjects? The Risen
Lord gives us one last command before he ascends to the Father,
“Peace be with you.” Be at peace. If our hearts and minds are
torn apart by dread, or frightened by the unknown, or troubled by our
past, then we cannot rest in the sure knowledge that Christ died for
us b/c he loves us. And if we cannot rest knowing this truth, then we
cannot come to believe in the Risen Lord. Be at peace. . .and come to
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through
this belief you may have life eternal.
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