Easter II (RCL Cycle B)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7 April 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cI believe in order to know, and I know in order to believe.\u201d \u2014St. Anselm of Canterbury (c. 1033\u2013 1109).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Happy Easter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second Sunday in the Great Fifty Days of Easter is always given to two separate but equally important resurrection appearances. The first appearance Jesus shows up in the locked room where the disciples are hiding in fear (tradition has it that this was the same upper room where they and Jesus ate the \u201cLast Supper). It is the evening of Resurrection Sunday (my hunch is that Clopas and his companion are running their 10K from Emmaus back to Jerusalem (we\u2019ll hear that story on another Sunday).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During this first appearance, Jesus demonstrates to his disciples that he is very much alive and well. Then three things happen: first, he commissions (sends) them to go out into the world; second, he breathes on them with the invitation to \u201creceive the Holy Spirit;\u201d and third, he gives them the authority to forgive or retain the sins of anyone. Thus, the disciples are to continue Jesus\u2019 ministry of healing and reconciliation in the days and years to come (we\u2019re still instructed to continue Jesus\u2019 ministry in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second appearance takes place a week later. Thomas, who missed the events of the previous Sunday, expressed his unwillingness to believe the good news of the resurrection unless he had tangible proof. Jesus appears and invites Thomas to touch his wounds and gently says, \u201cDon\u2019t be faithless, but believe.\u201d Jesus then proclaims blessing on those who have come to true faith without the need for sight as proof. This is not a rebuke of Thomas, but an affirmation for the generations to come who will read John\u2019s Gospel \u2014 those who must rely on Jesus\u2019 words and not his physical presence in order to believe. Ironically, it will be the testimony of Thomas that will bring future believers to faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The connection between knowing and believing is instantaneous. In response to Jesus\u2019 presence and Jesus\u2019 gift of offering Himself to Thomas, Thomas declares, \u201cMy Lord and my God!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is worth noting that, according to tradition, the new beginning of Thomas\u2019 life resulted in Thomas\u2019 traveling as far as the subcontinent of India, carrying the Good News that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the one whom God had raised from the dead. Even today, there is a church in India which bears Thomas\u2019 name, the Mar Thoma <\/em>Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thomas is remembered in the well-known phrase, \u201cDoubting Thomas.\u201d Jesus\u2019 words to Thomas don\u2019t focus on Thomas\u2019 doubts so much as they do on Thomas\u2019 unwillingness to believe. The more accurate translation of Jesus\u2019 comment is \u201cDo not be unbelieving, but believe.\u201d If we remember that the other disciples also doubted Mary Magdalene\u2019s testimony that the Lord had risen, we can see that Thomas was doing what the other disciples had also done. To each of these, the Lord provides a basis for knowing, and therefore, a basis for believing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For most of us, the trajectory involving knowing and believing isn\u2019t so meteoric as Thomas\u2019 was. Perhaps the walk we walk with God involves tentative steps toward believing in the truth of the claims of the Gospel, and perhaps these initial steps are mingled with a good bit of disbelief or doubt. But, I think, these initial steps provide the framework for God to open our minds and hearts to greater knowing, and therefore, greater believing. The paraphrase of Anselm\u2019s statement affirms this process, \u201cI believe in order to know, and I know in order to believe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One aspect of coming into a closer walk with God helps the other: Believing helps us to know or to understand, and further knowing and understanding helps us to believe all the more deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We will not be entirely done with this process until we are in God\u2019s presence in eternity someday. As St. Paul so wisely says in 1 Corinthians 13:9 and 12, \u201cFor we know in part and we prophesy in part. \u2026 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.\u201d i<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This morning, we will witness the commitment of several women who are exploring a vocation to become a Daughter of the King. This is a lay order for women who commit themselves to a life of prayer, service and evangelism. Through becoming a Daughter, they are living into the call of this morning\u2019s Gospel. I ask that you keep them in your prayers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Happy Easter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n