SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR A

 

 

 

By Anne Taylor

First Reading :Acts 2:42-47

Second Reading: 1 Pt 1:3-9 

Gospel: Jn 20:19-31

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I’ll believe it when I see it”. I have uttered those words often, especially in recent times. Such examples include waiting patiently for last summer’s anticipated heat after many, many days of wintry weather, or seeing my lucky numbers come up in the multi-million-dollar Powerball draw… though I suspect it helps if you have a ticket!  Thomas had the same thought; he refused to believe that Jesus had made an appearance until he had proof … and proof was certainly given to him through a physical encounter with Jesus. 

 

I can only imagine how shattered the disciples would have been after the death of Jesus. The one they had left their homes and families for, the one they believed in and devotedly followed, died as a criminal on a cross. It must have been surreal that only weeks earlier they were basking in the glow of being associated with Jesus, who had received ‘a rock star’ welcome as he entered Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday.

Just days later, when Thomas was told that the risen Jesus had appeared to the other disciples, he didn’t believe their testimony, despite coming from such a trustworthy source. He not only doubted that Jesus had risen, he also doubted the message of the early Church.  

 He wanted to see physical proof, tangible evidence of the resurrection. Thomas was courageous enough to voice the words which, I suspect, would have been on the lips of many others, “Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’’ 

 

 

Then eight days later, in the same house, with the same closed doors and the same people present, but now with the addition of Thomas, he had his proof. Thomas responded with a profound statement of faith; not only did he recognise Jesus but identified him as “My Lord and my God”. Jesus is named, not only as Teacher, Messiah, Prophet or Lord, but as God. God had not left them to flounder, God was real, God was there in their midst. Thomas sees deeply now and freely expressed his absolute trust in words which the other disciples had not spoken.

 

Succeeding generations of believers (us included) are called upon to have faith in a God who cannot be physically touched, who is with us, within us but always beyond our grasp and human understanding. A God who continues to invite a personal encounter through Scripture, Tradition, people, nature, and sacraments. A God who invites us to open ourselves to the mystery of the Spirit, given in love to support us on our journey. 

May our faith be deepened as we open ourselves to seeing the presence of God always with us. A God who loves each of us unconditionally and supports us on our life journey. May we be inspired to trust and have the courage, like Thomas, to personally echo the profound words … “My Lord and my God.”