His peace is our proof
2018년 4월 7일John’s gospel mentions that on Easter Sunday as well as the following week, the disciples met behind locked doors “for fear of the Jews.” Yes. One Jew in particular: Jesus. The good news was that Jesus is risen; the bad news is that Jesus is risen. Surely the disciples felt unworthy to be Jesus’ followers since they deserted him in his hour of need. But locked doors could no more block Jesus than could the sealed tomb. Despite the disciples’ fears, doubts ad failures, Jesus appears in their midst and gives them the first gift of his resurrection: “Peace be with you.”
Notice he does not scold them for their cowardice nor demean them for deserting him. Rather he shows them his wounds as proof it is the same Jesus who was crucified. And from those wounds flows our healing, our hope and our salvation. Thomas was not with the other disciples on that death-shattering occasion when Jesus rose from the dead and first appeared to them in the upper room. You might call Thomas the patron saint of those who miss Mass on Sunday. But thanks to his doubt, we get a gospel story attesting to the physicality of Jesus’ resurrection. He is not just a ghost or spirit, but has a risen body.
We all have wounds: some physical, others emotional or psychological. But these do not define us. Rather, when we offer our brokenness to the Lord, he can transform our wounds into a fountain of grace, mercy and wholeness. Let us never hesitate to express our doubts. Like Thomas, let us extend our hands and touch the wounds of the Risen Christ. The peace Christ gives us is proof enough he is truly risen and he is our Lord and our God.