So often when I hear this Gospel I focus on how Thomas gets a bad rap for doubting what we know to be true...even though it was all so totally preposterous...remember, he was among the first human beings to hear of the resurrection. This scene, in of itself, is so unbelievably powerful...remember the last time they saw him, he was being tortured, nailed to a cross, stabbed with a lance and died! So would you believe he was alive without seeing him...without touching his wounds? It’s kind of easy to understand Thomas’ disbelief. But again this year I decided to take a look at Jesus’ greeting... ”peace be with you”! Jesus’ disciples had witnessed that terrible first “Good Friday”, and now there were those who were saying he was alive! How could that be possible? In the midst of death, sorrow and immense disappointment, from the midst of a sense of total loss and failure...there Jesus was; the one upon whom they had pinned their hopes. There he was in their midst...speaking of peace after such violence had had been done to him! And yet there is no hint of revenge or “settling of scores” ...no accusations of betrayal and denial...only the offer of peace of the Risen Christ!
How do we, as disciples of this Christ; as individuals, as a church and as a country react when we are assaulted and have violence done to us...do we speak words of peace? Are we open to having words of peace spoken to us after having been hurt? Jesus offers us, not just any peace but, “his” peace...the peace of Christ! It is the peace of the One who was struck, beaten and crucified...a peace that knows so well, pain and suffering. His peace is a peace that brings forth forgiveness and ultimately leads us to new life! This peace of Christ is transformative. It holds the power to change us and to change how we see and understand the world around us and how we see each and every one of our sisters and brothers, especially those who are different from us. This peace of Christ can transform our communities, our nation, and the very world itself! We must however be willing to accept the peace that Christ offers to us and be brave enough to allow it to transform our very selves, then we can share it with others and build up the Reign of God in the here and now. The Reign of God in which all peoples are equally valued, loved and appreciated for who they are and for whose they are.
Just as the scared and confused disciples gathered in that up- per room, we too need this peace of Christ more than ever in the wake of all of trials and tribulations we find ourselves liv- ing through. In these most difficult times may we open our hearts to that transformative peace of Christ and share it with all the lonely, depressed, the despised and targeted, those seeking racial justice and equality. May this peace of Christ embolden us to stand with and stand up for all those whose voices are silenced or not listened to, to stand with and for all those who are threatened and harassed each day. May this peace of Christ bring us together to help build up the Reign of God where all peoples are equally valued, loved and appreciated for who they are and for whose they are.
What kind of peace do I offer when I am hurt by others? To whom do I need to offer “the peace of Christ”? How can I make “the peace of Christ” show forth in my daily life...within my family, my workplace, my community...and my country? The peace of the Risen Christ is with you always!
Easter Blessings,
Fr Tim
How do we, as disciples of this Christ; as individuals, as a church and as a country react when we are assaulted and have violence done to us...do we speak words of peace? Are we open to having words of peace spoken to us after having been hurt? Jesus offers us, not just any peace but, “his” peace...the peace of Christ! It is the peace of the One who was struck, beaten and crucified...a peace that knows so well, pain and suffering. His peace is a peace that brings forth forgiveness and ultimately leads us to new life! This peace of Christ is transformative. It holds the power to change us and to change how we see and understand the world around us and how we see each and every one of our sisters and brothers, especially those who are different from us. This peace of Christ can transform our communities, our nation, and the very world itself! We must however be willing to accept the peace that Christ offers to us and be brave enough to allow it to transform our very selves, then we can share it with others and build up the Reign of God in the here and now. The Reign of God in which all peoples are equally valued, loved and appreciated for who they are and for whose they are.
Just as the scared and confused disciples gathered in that up- per room, we too need this peace of Christ more than ever in the wake of all of trials and tribulations we find ourselves liv- ing through. In these most difficult times may we open our hearts to that transformative peace of Christ and share it with all the lonely, depressed, the despised and targeted, those seeking racial justice and equality. May this peace of Christ embolden us to stand with and stand up for all those whose voices are silenced or not listened to, to stand with and for all those who are threatened and harassed each day. May this peace of Christ bring us together to help build up the Reign of God where all peoples are equally valued, loved and appreciated for who they are and for whose they are.
What kind of peace do I offer when I am hurt by others? To whom do I need to offer “the peace of Christ”? How can I make “the peace of Christ” show forth in my daily life...within my family, my workplace, my community...and my country? The peace of the Risen Christ is with you always!
Easter Blessings,
Fr Tim
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