Second Sunday of Easter – Cycle B
Acts 4: 32-35; 1 John 5: 1-6;
John 20:
19-31
The
disciples were afraid. This man, Jesus, whom they had followed for
three years, had been taken from them, arrested, put on trial,
sentenced to die, and executed for his crimes. They had hoped that
Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the anointed one, promised by God.
But now He was gone, and the disciples were feeling out of sorts.
What were they going to do now? They feared for their lives as they
hid in seclusion – all of them – except Thomas.
Thomas
was a brave man. He was fearless. How do I know this? Today's
gospel illustrates that point: “On the evening of the first day of
the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for
fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst ...” (John
20:19) Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve was not with them.
He was not hiding. The gospel does not elaborate on Thomas'
whereabouts, but he was not cowering in a locked room with the rest
of them. He was out in public somewhere.
History
does not, however, remember Thomas as a brave man. Instead, he is
forever known as “Doubting Thomas,” the man who did not believe
in the Resurrection of Jesus. “Unless I see the mark of the nails
in his hands and put my fingers into the nailmarks and put my hand
into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20: 25)
History
forever remembers Thomas for his moment of doubt. While some might
find this label burdensome, I'm confident that Thomas embraced that
image, and used it while spreading the Good News to the world.
Tradition tells us that Thomas took the Gospel to Iran and Armenia,
perhaps even as far as China, before being martyred in India. I'm
certain that Thomas must have been a powerful and engaging speaker.
Can you imagine what Thomas would say to us if he were here today?
I
was one of the Twelve. Jesus called me and I followed. I witnessed
many wondrous deeds from the Master. I saw Jesus walk on water. I
was there when He fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread
and two fish. I saw Lazarus raised from the dead. When Jesus came
to town, the blind could see, the deaf could hear, the lame could
walk, and the poor had the Good News proclaimed to them. Jesus
embraced lepers. He ate with sinners and tax collectors. He spoke
with women freely and openly. He healed many afflictions and drove
out many demons. He had no hatred – he loved everyone – even his
enemies – even those who sought to silence him.
They
arrested him and put him to death by nailing him to a cross. A
soldier pierced his side with a lance and immediately blood and water
flowed out. An eyewitness has testified and his testimony is true.
(John 19: 34-35) Jesus of Nazareth was dead. His lifeless body was
taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb.
Three days later, some of the women from our group went to anoint his body. When they arrived at the place of burial, they found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance, and the tomb was empty. Soon the Resurrected Jesus began appearing to his followers. He visited Mary of Magdala in a garden near the tomb. He walked with
two of our number as they were traveling to Emmaus. I heard the
stories and was amazed. I wanted so badly to find Jesus that I left
the others and searched for him on my own. But I did not see him.
That evening, when I returned, I was told by the others that Jesus
had appeared to them. I was angry that I had missed the Master, and
hurt that He did not come to me. I refused to believe.
A
week later, Jesus came again to the disciples, and this time, I was
there too. He said to me, “Thomas, put your fingers into the
nailmarks and believe.” I fell to my knees at once and proclaimed
“My Lord and my God!”
I
know that my testimony sounds incredible. I know some of you have
doubts or questions about these events. Some of you may have been
separated from God for a long time. Perhaps you are feeling anger or
hurt toward God. I understand. I too struggled and questioned these
happenings. I too felt the anger and the hurt that you feel. I too
doubted the Resurrection. I would like each of you to touch my hand.
This is the hand that reached into his side. These are the fingers
that probed the nailmarks. It's time to stop your unbelieving, and
believe. Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that
through this belief you may have life in his name.
I
would like to conclude with a blessing that the Master gave to me
which I now impart to each of you. I have come to believe all these
things because I witnessed them firsthand. Blessed are you who have
not seen but believe.
Deacon Darryl J. Diemer
Second Sunday of Easter
April 12, 2015
Painting: Caravaggio, The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, 1603
