April 9, 2010
Sunday Scripture
Second Sunday of Easter
BY FATHER DONALD DILGER
Post-resurrection events were moving quickly. Mary Magdalene had discovered the empty tomb, and reported it to Simon Peter and “the other disciple.” They verified that the tomb was indeed empty except for the linen cloths in which Jesus’ body had been wrapped for burial. Peter remained clueless, but “the other disciple . . . saw and believed.” Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene. He commissioned her as the first one to proclaim his resurrection and ascension. In John’s theology, Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to his Father take place on the same day. This Sunday’s gospel now follows.
That same evening, the very day of the resurrection, Jesus has returned from his Father. He mysteriously enters the sealed room where the disciples were hiding out of fear of the authorities, who knew that they were the close collaborators of Jesus. It was Sunday evening, only a few days after their Teacher’s arrest and execution. Jesus greets them with the traditional greeting, “Shalom Alechem,” (“Peace be with you.”) Jesus does not return to them empty-handed. He brings them the Gift, the Holy Spirit. Since this section of today’s gospel is the gospel reading for Pentecost, we reserve comment until that time.
The second part of today’s gospel begins with a note that Thomas, known as “the Twin,” and one of the original Twelve, was absent at Jesus’ first encounter with the Eleven. When they tell him about Jesus’ visit, he refuses to believe them, and says, “Unless I see in his hands the impression of the nails, and place my finger in those impressions, and place my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, the following Sunday, Jesus is suddenly among them as on the previous Sunday, even though the doors were thoroughly secured both times. After again wishing them Shalom (wholeness, health), Jesus addresses Thomas. He invites him to do exactly what he demanded for belief in the resurrection of Jesus — to examine Jesus’ wounds. Thomas replies, even without the examination, “My Lord and my God!”
Recalling the catechetical intent of the gospels, we conclude that John is handling a problem which was there from the beginning of Christianity, the problem of doubt in the resurrection of Jesus. That problem endures to this day. To respond to the problem, John does not describe Thomas examining the wounds of Jesus. Instead Thomas makes a profound act of faith, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus commends Thomas for his sudden found faith, but has higher praise for those who do not have the privilege Thomas had.
The First Letter of John describes that privilege, “What we have heard (with our own ears), seen with our eyes, looked upon and touched with our hands . . . .” For those without that original experience, Jesus says to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet believe!” He is talking about us, about all believers, all of whom at one time or another experience doubt. The answer is an act of faith, “My Lord and my God!”
The final part of today’s gospel teaches us the importance of the oral tradition valued in the Church from the beginning: “Jesus did many other signs (miracles) not written in this book.” What was written in “this book,” and in the other books or documents of the New Testament, was written for this purpose, (not as biography or history), ‘that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,” that through this faith, you will have life in his name.” What is that name in John’s gospel? It is the divine Name, “I AM.” John again proclaims Jesus as God, and we respond against all doubts, “My Lord and my God!”
Some time has passed since Jesus’ ascension and Pentecost. The apostles, now bold and fearless, were preaching and working miracles to confirm the truth of their preaching. At this time they were engaged in their new ministry even in the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, working under the very nose of those authorities of whom they had been so afraid after the execution of Jesus. The Gift which is the Holy Spirit was so powerful in them, that people brought their sick into the streets, so that when Peter walked by his shadow might pass over their sick. Luke concludes, “All were healed.” Do we see ourselves, clergy and laity, work with the enthusiasm and devotion shown by those first Christians?
The author of Revelation, a Christian prophet named John, introduces himself to his readers from his exile on Patmos, a small Island off the coast of Turkey. He describes a vision he experienced on a Sunday morning. A voice as loud as a trumpet commanded him to write what he saw. He turned around and saw Jesus in glory. Jesus is identified as the eternal God by these titles, “I am the First and the Last, the One who lives.” Appropriately for today’s liturgy, this reading includes an affirmation of the resurrection of Jesus, who says to John, “Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever.”