The events of Holy Week are a mixture of small and quiet times, dispersed with public and somewhat ‘noisy’ moments. We go from the triumphant procession of Jesus into Jerusalem, followed by an intimate meal shared with his closest disciples. From Jesus’ public trial and humiliation, followed by his death on the cross, to the quiet happenings of the first Easter Day.
Today’s gospel passage is another intimate gathering that mirrors the sharing of the Passover meal, as Jesus appears to the disciples in the upper room on the day of his resurrection. They had been in hiding following Jesus’ arrest, and were likely in despair, with not a clue what to do next. Then Jesus came into their midst bearing the marks of his crucifixion and offering them peace, but also calling them to be ‘sent’ to continue the work Jesus had started. Jesus bestowed the Holy Spirit on the disciples, as well as gave them the authority to pronounce forgiveness of sins.
But there was someone missing – Thomas, who not surprisingly is distressed to have missed this encounter with Jesus. He needed to see Jesus for himself.
A week later Jesus comes again, and this time Thomas is present and offers the first proclamation by a disciple, of Jesus as Lord and God. Jesus says those who have not seen him also believe, which has been the pattern of faith for all Christians since the crucifixion, including ourselves.
Our own encounters with Christ may come in a public or private moment. Neither is right or wrong, merely different. What matters is that we allow ourselves to believe, to have faith, to accept the call to continue the work that Jesus started and which the disciples continued.
And, if we are honest, there is something of Thomas in all of us. We may be strong in our faith, but that doesn’t mean that at times we don’t have doubts, or times when we want the reassurance that Thomas seemed to both want and need.
Fr Stephen Rowe