EASTER SUNDAYS<
CYCLE-C < SERMON >
Second Sunday of Easter Reflection!
The scene described for us in today’s Gospel passage is like a two-act
play. These appearances of Jesus to his disciples after his resurrection were
extraordinary, and the effect it has on them was also extraordinary. Let us see
it then as the dramatic event that it was.
*First Act: * First Act is seen in three parts, namely, Time, Place,
Action and finally Anti-Climax.
*The Time: * It is
Easter Sunday evening, the day of Resurrection, the day on which Jesus is
raised from the dead that the First drama takes place.
*The Place: * For
three years Jesus had been training his disciples. When the final crisis came,
they behaved disgracefully. Judas betrayed him, Peter denied him, and rest of
the Apostles ran away due to fear of being caught by Roman Soldiers. He had
been called to leave everything and follow Christ but all deserted him and
locked themselves up in a room, only the Mother of Jesus, Mary and his favorite
Apostle John were there at the foot during the time of crucifixion.
All the action
takes place in one room somewhere in Jerusalem. It is a large room, for it has
to accommodate a big number of people. Many of Jesus’ disciples are there and
among them ten Apostles. Two of the Apostles are missing. Judas committed
suicide and Thomas was absconding. Why Thomas was not with the other disciples,
we are not told, but his absence was only temporary. The possible reason of his
absence could be his inner suffering. Thomas was a deeply wounded person. He
was wounded by grief, he was wounded by loneliness, he was wounded by unbelief
and despair.
All this happened
to him when Christ his master and friend was put to a cruel and unmerited
death. In his pain he wanted to be alone. So he fled from the company of other
Apostles. The atmosphere in the room is tense. We notice that the doors are
shut and bolted. We get the impression that they are afraid that the mob that
cried out for their Master’s death three days ago may break in and beat them
up.
*Action: * Suddenly
the risen Lord appears in their midst. No one saw him enter. He did not knock
or ask to have door opened for him. He is simply there. The disciples are
alarmed. They are tensed and waited for a sign of how he is going to deal with
them. They thought he will rebuke them and seek replacements because they left
him alone in the time of crisis. But there are no charges, no calling for
clarifications. His first word was "Shalom, peace be with you.” He
forgives all of them and then comes really surprising thing, the totally
unexpected. Jesus says to them, As the Father has sent me so I also send you.
Receive the Holy Spirit. When you forgive sins they are forgiven. When you hold
them back, they are held back." Having said that, Jesus departs.
*Anti-Climax: -*
Now the absent member of their group, the Apostle Thomas, knocks at the door
and comes in and immediately they crowd round him and excitedly tell him that
Jesus is risen from the dead, that he is alive and appeared to them. But Thomas
refuses to believe all what they said. He demands absolute proof that Jesus is
alive. He said to them, “Unless I see in hands the print of the nails, and
place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” The other disciples are stunned
by this stubbornness and this harsh demand. There is absolute silence after
that and the curtain falls, and the first Act or the first scene is over.
*Second Act: *
After Interval, the Second Scene, the Second Act This is also seen in three
parts- Time, Place and Action.
*Time: * The
curtain rises again on the same scene and we are told that after eight days,
again on next Sunday, after Resurrection, the second act of drama takes place.
*Place: * - The
same room and same group of disciples are there and now Thomas is with them.
The atmosphere in the room is not tense, the disciples looked relaxed but still
the doors are shut and bolted.
*Action: * Suddenly
the risen Lord appears in their midst. The disciples are all in attention,
wondering what is going to happen to Thomas. Jesus once again enters the room
without knocking and put them all at ease by his greetings “Peace be with you”
and he calls Thomas and says, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put
out your hand, and place it in my side.” Thomas offers no apologies and do not
try to “explain” his need for further proof.
Overwhelmed by the
physical reality of the Lord. He falls on his knees. He cries, opens his soul
to his risen Master, and pours out all his unspoken laments, unasked questions,
unexpressed feelings saying, “My Lord and my God” - a pure and simple act of
adoration. Thomas could say no more, No one of the other apostles have ever
called the Lord “God” with such significance. Not one has ever confessed Him to
be God so fully and openly. The doubting and suffering Thomas is the first of
all to see the divinity of Christ.
