|
First
Reading
|
Psalm |
Epistle |
Gospel |
Acts 4:32–35 |
Psalm 133 |
1 John 1:1–2:2 |
John 20:19–31
|
For the most part, the Gospels are intentionally parsed of excess words. They report only what is deemed important for people of faith. Thomas is referred to twice as a twin in the Gospel of John. Yet neither John nor any of the other Gospels ever tells us the name of Thomas’ twin. Why do you think John wanted us to know Thomas was a twin, but never identified who the twin was?
The evening of our reenactment of a Seder meal was the last formal session for those exploring whether they would like to re-confirm the promises made on their behalf at their baptism. From the beginning, it had been stressed that whether or not to be confirmed at this point was intended to be their choice. For one of the characteristics of Christians always and everywhere is that discipleship is never simply inherited. It does not come as an automatic accouterment of one’s culture. You are never born a Christian, no matter who your parents are. One must choose to become a Christian. To be sure one may choose for you so that you will be brought up in the family of faith, but then there inevitably comes a time when one decides whether or not to re-confirm this choice, and to define one’s relationship with a community of faith. It is often a continuing process rather than an absolute once and for all, never to be changed or modified decision, but it is a decision nonetheless. In thinking about Thomas in this morning’s Gospel that is specifically assigned for the first Sunday after Easter Day, it seems that a remarkable thing about Christian discipleship is that it not only allows and accepts doubt, it comes close to supporting it. The magnificent surprise and triumph of the Easter story seems incomplete without the account of so-called doubting Thomas.
The risen Lord did not ignore Thomas, nor was Thomas ever subject to humiliation and embarrassment. Jesus simply said in effect, “Thomas, I know you have all sorts of questions. That’s o.k. come closer.” The Gospel never records whether or not Thomas actually put his finger into Jesus’ side or felt the print of the nails, but Thomas learns that Jesus understands where he is coming from. Thomas becomes aware that new life has indeed touched him The Gospel gives us an important notice that God respects the ambiguities and uncertainties of our humanity. God does not put down honest doubt and struggle. Instead of rebuking us, God invites us to come closer. In the encounter of Thomas with the risen Christ, it is affirmed that even in the vulnerable and confounding areas of our existence, signs of the resurrection may be revealed.
Jesus sends us out of this place, to be the ambassadors of God’s grace. We are given God’s peace to pass. At the same time we are warned that we are free to neglect Gods’ call to bind-up, to fail to share the gifts God gives us, and to refuse to participate in God’s mission. We are given God’s love as a gift, but we are never given God’s absolute truth to brandish as a weapon, nor a divine certainty to use as a straightjacket on others. People who use such shackles are never sent as God sent Jesus, and as Jesus sends us. Jesus invites, but never compels.
The Gospel reminds us that we don’t have all the answers, and never will on this earth. The Good News is that we don’t need them and neither did Thomas. Struggling over God’s call does not disqualify us from receiving God’s peace beyond all understanding. The miracle of resurrection comes even through our tears of pain, dust of disillusionment, and threat of terror. Moreover, the gift of Easter doesn’t stop with the Risen Lord sending us out with a peace the world cannot give. Thomas provides us a special blessing that provides an example of what living as an Easter person of integrity and sensitivity in today’s world is often about.
So why did John emphasize that Thomas was a twin and who is Thomas’ twin? I suggest that John was telling us that we are Thomas’ twin. Each and every one of us is, and that is why John did not name us. For in our encounters with the risen Lord, we, like Thomas, must decide for ourselves.
And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
