Daily Reflections - April 15, 2012

BEING IN COMMUNITY

 

The second Sunday of Easter always has as its main character Thomas, who was made famous, or infamous, by his refusal to  believe: “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger in those scars and my hand in his side” (John 20:25). But Thomas was more than just a doubting Apostle. The synoptic Gospels may be scant in their accounts of Thomas’ exploits, but John was more generous in giving Thomas coverage in his account of the life of Jesus and His disciples.

In John 11, Jesus learned of the death of His close friend Lazarus who was in Bethany. The disciples knew that Bethany was a dangerous place for Jesus. Some hostile men have already attempted to stone Him there. When Jesus insisted that they go to His friend Lazarus, Thomas bravely said, “Let us all go along with the Teacher, so that we may die with him” (John 11:16). This is a clear indication of the kind of stuff that Thomas was made of. He was a man who was loyal to his master and would go to great lengths to show his faith and fidelity to Him.

In John 14, the simplicity of Thomas’ faith and his honesty in inquiring, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?” (John 16:5) paved the way to one of the more important self pronouncements of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth and the Life” (John14:6).

But it’s in the third time that John mentions him that Thomas is forever dubbed as the Doubter (cf. John 20:19-31). It is a scene that we should all be familiar with, lest we fall into the same malady. Thomas was not in the Upper Room, the place where the rest of the disciples were as they mourned the loss of their beloved Master, but Thomas chose to dwell on his sorrow alone. And because he was away, he failed to see what the rest of them saw. This is a great teaching about the importance of Christian fellowship. Christ is present in His mystical body, His church, and its members will do well in experiencing and seeing Jesus as they live within its communion. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you belong to a community? If not, what’s keeping you from joining one?

 

Lord Jesus, lead me to the right community for me.