Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
Incredulous! That's what Thomas was when he heard that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. Skeptical, lacking belief. In a word....ok two. NO WAY. There's no way that the man who died on Calvary's cross could appear in the Upper Room just a few days later.
It's rather remarkable that the disciples so readily accepted Jesus' peace when he stood among them. Mary Magdalene's witness of the Risen Christ in the Garden must have been convincing to say the least. Why did Peter and the "other disciple" depart so rapidly from the empty tomb? Were they convinced at that point that Jesus had conquered death? I'm somewhat incredulous with that solution given their lack of faith and resolve on Good Friday. Maybe I'm more like Thomas than I am like the others whose fear within seconds turned to jubilation. They are so delighted to see their Lord that his presence is more than enough for them. Thomas, he's well ahead of his time in terms of needing "real proof." 'Must have been a scientist, or a cynic like many contemporary Christians. What a incredulous shame.
John's Easter story makes me think about how we really need to be open to receiving God-Given Grace. Are we skeptical by nature? I'm afraid that I often am. Perhaps it's because I (and maybe you too) have some "man-made" experiences blocking me from seeing God's providence in action. Betrayals, rebukes, hopes dashed by human pride and prejudice have biased my readiness to accept the possibility of miracles and unexpected outcomes. What a shame. The Gospel-truth is that God holds the power and potential to intervene into our human history, miraculously and illogically. I don't comprehend the facts of such instances. I just know that I believe that Jesus' resurrection is somehow true.
One of the foundations of Franciscan monk Richard Rohr's teachings is this principle: "If God is Trinity and Jesus is the face of God, then it is a benevolent universe. God is not someone to be afraid of, but is the Ground of Being and on our side." He adds in a recent e-mail message: "Mystical experience is the best possible cure for low self-esteem. You know you were chosen by the One who does the choosing! You know you are intimately loved by the One who creates all the loving! When the "Unmoved Mover" says you are good, you would do well to accept his or her version of reality, and let go of your petty carping and complaining about yourself."
Jesus the Christ's appearance to Thomas and the other disciples in the Upper Room was most assuredly mystically transformational. There's just no other way to see it. Perhaps that mine (and your?) problem. We've become so caught up with our needs for facts even as we become disappointed by secular setbacks that the resurrection becomes less and less possible.
What if for the remainder of Easter-tide (between now and May 19th) we simply sought to look for God's miraculous, resurrection like presence on a daily basis. What if we were to set aside our Thomas-like cynicism for Mary Magdalene-like persevering faith. Would our personal lives be different? Would we and our church be more alive and creative? Would we believe more fully in the faith we profess each Sunday? If that seems too far of a stretch... then let's see if we can at least let your cynicism stand alongside of our faith rather than on top of it. Here's hoping that we'll have enough peace and mystery in our coming days to actively view the Risen Christ in our midst.
Blessings Along The Way, Jim+
This Week at St. James
Isn't she cute! Easter Photos will be available soon!
Thursday - April 4th @ 11:00 AM
ECW Meeting
@ 2:00 PM
Grief Recovery Program
Saturday - April 6th @ 10:00 AM
Newcomer Ministry Team Meeting
Sunday - April 7th @ 8:45 AM Choir Practice
@ 9:00 AM Adult Christian Education
@ 10:00 AM Rite II Eucharist (Communion) & Children's Sunday School
St. James Episcopal Church is called to be a center of worship and common life where Christ's love is visible and experienced in order to seek and serve Jesus in others.
