Second Sunday of Easter (Jn. 20:19-31) “Can I Probe Woundedness”
Second Sunday of Easter (Jn. 20:19-31) “Can I Probe Woundedness”
Fear. Fear was the overriding feeling of Jesus’ disciples gathered in the upper room on the first Easter evening. What were they afraid of?
We can imagine there was a lot of raw emotion in the upper room Easter Day. Some of the followers of Jesus probably felt depressed. The leader that they had followed was dead. Jesus was the one who was supposed to lead them into a bright future. He was the friend whom they loved. Now he was gone.
Other disciples were probably in shock. Whenever someone dies suddenly in our life there is disbelief. If the death is a violent death like Jesus’ had there might even be more confusion. We might feel a death experience like that is a bad dream that we will soon wake up from. What happened cannot be real.
When Jesus enters the room the tension in the air must have been even more palpable. Wouldn’t it seem like the disciples would be afraid when they first saw the risen Jesus? Maybe they thought to themselves, “He has come back and must really be mad at me because I ran away from him when he needed me most. Will he lash out at me verbally, perhaps even physically?”
What does Jesus do to reassure the disciples in the upper room? He shows them his wounds. He especially shows them his wounded side. We can’t help but remember the creation of Eve in the Book of Genesis. New life came from Adam’s side.
In the passion narrative in the Gospel of John the last act of brutality Jesus endured at the crucifixion is emphasized. A soldier ran a lance into the side of Jesus. Blood and water gush out. The bloody water was a sign that Jesus was truly dead. We also know that blood and water come out of the womb when a baby is born. The promise of a new life starts with water and blood.
Jesus died a failure. He was physically tortured. His body was depleted. Almost all of those who had professed allegiance to Jesus betrayed him. Some of his last words on the cross were, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” But Jesus was born once more in the resurrection. The lowest point of his life wasn’t the end of his story. No, it was the beginning of something even more glorious.
When Jesus asked the disciples to probe his wounds he seemed to be asking them to rethink their sense of fear. On the one hand he was saying, consider how bleak my future looked when I was humiliated, tortured, and killed. But the woundedness is not where it ended. I am here. I have survived. I am stronger than ever.
Jesus seemed to be saying to those in the upper room. “You may feel ashamed. You may think that you’re wounded by sorrow. You also may think that you failed me. You also may think that you are of no more use to me. But I tell you that all this had to happen. I tell you that now you will be better ministers because you have been wounded. You will be stronger. Nothing can stop you, not even death itself.”
Jesus is with us today in this room. His presence is here. We come to Mass each Sunday with a variety of life experiences. Maybe we are saddened by life’s trials. We might doubt our own worth. But Jesus proclaims the same message that he gave the first disciples two thousand years ago.
He says, “meditate on my wounds.” Could someone who had the courage to endure what I endured for the Gospel I proclaimed to be a fraud? I stood for justice for all, love of enemies, mercy for sinners. Would someone who modeled such love ever harm another. No, my message is God is rich in mercy.
We are better disciples if we fail at trying to be like Jesus a few times rather than if we lead a perfect life. Jesus taught that truth to others repeatedly. The question is if we believe what he told us.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have I failed Jesus? How?
2. When I experience Jesus’ mercy what happens? Do I believe more strongly?
Dear Parishioners,
Our church building is moving into a new century. We have been celebrating all year. Remember to come and give thanks at Mass on April 21st at our 11 a.m. Mass. This will be the last event of the centennial. It would be nice to see all of you there.
Our His Heart Our Hands drive has been a success. We have received over 325 pledges. There is still time to get your pledge in so that we can include you. Most of the people who have pledged have increased their donations. If people, follow through with their commitment it would help us a great deal.
Confirmation will be on April 28th. We will be having over 40 people being confirmed here on that date. Please pray for these young people. Sacred Heart continues its mission of making disciples of Jesus. This is good news!
May Our Lady of Peace pray for us,
Fr. Mark