2nd Sunday of Easter (12.04.15)
Faith is a delicate thing. It is exposed to harsh winds of doubt, cynicism and despair which frequently blow through the modern world. It is like a candle burning in an exposed place. When we gather each week to celebrate the memory of Jesus, we help each other by our very presence at Mass. Turning up is an act of Faith. Our faith gives us a sense of belonging to a large community. When we believe, we belong.But the community of faith can never substitute for individual faith. Nobody can do our believing for us.
More about this later.Perhaps we could dwell today on the healing power of touch – taking our cue from the passage in the Gospel where we hear how Thomas’ doubt is turned into belief by touching the wounds of the risen Jesus.Touching plays a very important role in human life. Children get their first taste of life from the way they are touched. If they are handled gently they begin to feel that they are worthwhile and that the world is a friendly place. If they are handled roughly they begin to feel bad about themselves and about the world. When someone has succeeded, or passed an exam, we want to clap him/her on the back to show that we share their happiness. When someone has suffered a bereavement or has received some distressing news we instinctively clasp his/her hand to show our solidarity. When we love someone, we want to touch him/her to let them know how we feel.When we are feeling good, we are quite happy to let others come near us or touch us, but when we are in pain the opposite happens. We want to hide away – cut ourselves off from others, cover up our wound and just be left alone. We are hurting so much, we have difficulty looking at it ourselves let alone let others touch us. This is understandable but a mistake. How can healing happen if we do not allow our wounds to be seen and touched.The disciple at the centre of today’s Gospel – Doubting Thomas – was a deeply wounded man. He was wounded by grief, loneliness, unbelief and despair, because Christ, his Master and Friend was put to a cruel and unmerited death. In his pain, Thomas wanted to be alone, so he fled from the company of the other apostles, and consequently missed the first appearance of the risen Lord.For Thomas honesty is more important than loyalty. So he refused to be part of this company of believers, for it is not enough for him to shelter in a faith that he cannot credit for himself. For Thomas, to say he believed would be play-acting, make-belief. It would be to make religion out of role-playing, agreeing to act out a part that was expected of him but against his convictions. He comes to believe in the same way as did the other disciples – when he sees the risen Lord for himself.Note how Christ dealt with him. He showed him His wounds –– the mortal wounds of the Good Shepherd, suffered in defending His flock. Why should He hide them – the proof of His love for His disciples! Then he invited Thomas to touch them. So, by touching and being touched was Thomas healed of his unbelief.
Let us pray with Thomas: “Lord, increase my faith. I do believe. Help my unbelief.”
Likewise in our case, it is by touching and being touched that we are also healed of our infirmities, and sinfulness. This can happen only if Christ is seen to be alive and dwell in His followers. Without the Church (Christians) the risen Christ would remain invisible, faceless, untouchable. What a responsible mission is ours – to be there for one another, if only in prayer!
God, our Father, You give strength to the weary and new courage to those who have lost heart. Hear the prayers of all who call on you in any kind of trouble, that they may find joy in receiving your help in their need. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.