Very often when someone loses a loved one in death, they hope and pray to have a dream where they once again see their beloved and can be reassured that they are okay and alive in God’s kingdom. The last thing one would expect would be for that loved one to come knocking on the door and come in to prove that they are indeed okay and better alive in God’s love. Anyone of us would be astounded and frightened and incredulous to say that least.
But that’s exactly what happens to the apostles in today’s gospel reading on the second Sunday of Easter. They are holed up in that upper room with the doors all locked, bewildered and frightened, not knowing what was happening but longing for at least some word from their master that the rumors were true. And out of the blue Jesus walks through the door, greets them with peace, tells them not to be afraid, and shows them his hands and his feet.
It’s easy to say don’t be afraid. Can we even imagine what they must have been feeling? Eventually they do overcome their fear and realize in their hearts that it is Jesus, alive not a ghost, and HE is Risen as he said.
Is it any wonder Thomas was doubtful? HE had not experienced what they had and I suspect Thomas’ reaction is like most of ours would be: Prove it to me.
Resurrection from the dead was not an everyday event in their lives; and certainly is not given much credence in our skeptical scientific society in which everything has to be proven.
One of the things that strikes me in this story is that Jesus takes the extra step to make sure that Thomas came to believe as well. He returns and invites Thomas to touch his wounds and to realize the truth.
Jesus comes to us each year through the fifty days of this Easter Season. His desire is the same: HE wants every one of us to believe and realize that His Resurrection from the dead is our hope of Eternal life after death. He knows it is difficult to believe and we spend this long Easter Season allowing the mystery and wonder to seep ever more deeply into our hearts and to fill us with promise.
May this season renew us in our faith and in the love God has for us!