BLESSED ARE THEY WHO HAVE NOT SEEN, BUT BELIEVED

In the upper room after Christ’s Passion and death, the anxiety of the disciples was so strong that they locked themselves away. But still Christ found a way into their midst. He would not be prevented from bringing mercy and hope to a place shrouded in despair. No door barred in a moment of fear could keep him out.

One of the Resurrection narratives that we read during the Easter season features the Apostle Thomas who has received the unfavorable title “Doubting Thomas.” Thomas is the one who doubted Jesus’ resurrection. But, before we criticize Thomas too severely, it would be wise to explore the reasons why maybe he did not believe at first. The other disciples accepted the resurrection of Jesus because they saw the Risen Lord and spoke to him. Thomas did not have that advantage. He had to rely on what he was told by others.

In the Resurrection narrative from John’s Gospel which describes the scene of so-called “Doubting Thomas,” the other disciples tell Thomas: “We have seen the Lord.” Thomas was also told that they had been given the power to forgive sin and to heal the brokenness of others. So why did Thomas not believe them?

After hearing the testimony of the other disciples, Thomas may have realized that it was not seen in their actions. If Jesus had been raised up, why were the Apostles still in the upper room? If Jesus had sent the disciples to proclaim his Gospel to the world, why had they not left? Where was the profound change in their lives?

We face a similar challenge in our lives. People need more than words. They need to see that our actions support our words. We call ourselves Christian and proclaim Jesus’ resurrection, but how do our lives appear? Are we joyful, generous, thankful people?

The resurrection of Jesus should renew us. The newness of our lives that we celebrate during the Easter season should be obvious. In our world, the truth of the Resurrection depends on spoken testimony and lives that show that testimony to be real. The original disciples were moved to faith because of the change that they could see between the dead Jesus on the cross and the Risen Christ appearing to them. Today, people can no longer see the change in Jesus. That is why they must be able to see the change in us.

Now, as disciples of the Risen Christ, we become an instrument of mercy and hope for our world.