+ John I. Okoye
DOCTRINE AND FAITH
(Acts of the Apostles 2,42-47; 1 Peter 1, 3-9;
John 20, 19-31: 2nd Sunday of Easter: Year A, 2017)
In this second Sunday
of Easter we see that the resurrection of Christ brings with it a lot of
graces. Jesus did not rise from the dead only for his but also for our
advantage. His resurrection has considerable effects on our own existence. The
readings of today indicate to us some of those rich effects like the importance
of Sunday, the day of the Lord, peace, joy and
faith.
The gospel reading has two
resurrection appearances. They have several details in common: both occur on
the first day of the week; despite the closed doors Jesus appears in the midst
of the disciples and addresses them with a greeting of peace and calls their
attention to his wounds. The first day of the week is the actual day of the
resurrection. Previously the end of the week, the Sabbath had religious meaning.
Henceforth, the beginning of the week is the focus. Why? This is the day, Sunday, when the risen Lord appears to his people in worship.
Therefore, whoever wishes to encounter the risen Lord and receive his blessings
will have to do so at the gathering of the believers on the first day of
the week, that is Sunday. May we no longer miss the Sunday Masses during which we encounter Christ who feeds us
with his Word and the Eucharist.
The first words of Jesus as he appeared to
his timorous disciples, who were gathered in the Cenacle under locked
doors, were: Peace to you all. The
risen Lord brings peace to us. He
obtained this peace through his victory over death and sin. The victory
manifested in the resurrection of Christ which generates peace and reconciliation
not only for now but also till the end time. The risen Lord did not bring along
with him only peace but also joy. The gospel reading has it: The disciples were filled with joy when they
saw the Lord. Peter in the second reading, holds that the salvation issuing
from faith in the resurrection of Jesus is
a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear
being plagued by all sorts of trials. Peter indicates one very important
point. Even though, his audience has not met the risen Christ physically, they are already filled with a joy so
glorious that it cannot be described. Their faith in Christ is responsible
for this.
The resurrection of Christ is
also the source of brotherly/sisterly communion and charity. The first
Christians remained faithful to the
teaching of the apostles and the brotherhood. This union was practically
and concretely shown in the sharing and use of goods. The sharing had a social
dimension manifested in the members holding possessions in common, as well as a
religious dimension expressed in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The
resurrection of Christ liberated the hearts from all forms of egoistic
tendencies putting into them generous love, peace and joy.
The resurrection of Christ is the source of joy, peace, community life, etc. We can only have a claim to these by having faith in Christ. For, in actual fact, the real source of these all is the person of Christ himself and to have them to one’s advantage, faith is necessary. We look at how the gospel reading and the second reading handled this important topic, faith. The protagonist of faith in the gospel reading was Thomas who was absent at the first appearance of Jesus. When he was told of it, he doubted and hinted that he would believe only when he must have physically seen and touched the wounds of Jesus, the sure indications of his physical suffering that led to his death. It was by the second appearance of Jesus that he gave up his doubt at the sight of the risen Lord. Thomas represents the second generation of Christians, those who are called to believe through the testimony of others. The faith required of him is, in a way, more demanding than that required of those who actually encountered the risen Lord. The other disciples recognized that the one in their midst was their Lord. Thomas by his declaration My Lord and my God professed that the risen Lord was God. According to Jesus, as profound as Thomas ultimate faith was, it does not compare with the faith of those who do not enjoy the kind of experience the Lord described here. Thomas should be remembered not because he was absent or because he doubted but because, like us, he was called to believe on the word of others. As obstinate as he first appeared, he was open to the power of the resurrection and he ultimately entered into the depth of the mystery. Thomas is the model of those who come to the sacred mysteries through the words of others.
The resurrection of Christ is the source of joy, peace, community life, etc. We can only have a claim to these by having faith in Christ. For, in actual fact, the real source of these all is the person of Christ himself and to have them to one’s advantage, faith is necessary. We look at how the gospel reading and the second reading handled this important topic, faith. The protagonist of faith in the gospel reading was Thomas who was absent at the first appearance of Jesus. When he was told of it, he doubted and hinted that he would believe only when he must have physically seen and touched the wounds of Jesus, the sure indications of his physical suffering that led to his death. It was by the second appearance of Jesus that he gave up his doubt at the sight of the risen Lord. Thomas represents the second generation of Christians, those who are called to believe through the testimony of others. The faith required of him is, in a way, more demanding than that required of those who actually encountered the risen Lord. The other disciples recognized that the one in their midst was their Lord. Thomas by his declaration My Lord and my God professed that the risen Lord was God. According to Jesus, as profound as Thomas ultimate faith was, it does not compare with the faith of those who do not enjoy the kind of experience the Lord described here. Thomas should be remembered not because he was absent or because he doubted but because, like us, he was called to believe on the word of others. As obstinate as he first appeared, he was open to the power of the resurrection and he ultimately entered into the depth of the mystery. Thomas is the model of those who come to the sacred mysteries through the words of others.
For Peter, in the second reading faith is more precious than gold. His
statement should challenge us to examine if our faith in Jesus Christ is really
more precious than gold; if we place a profound or extraordinary value on our faith
in Christ. All the goods of the earth are not to be compared to the high value
of faith. For Peter this faith is to be developed and made stronger and deeper,
often times through sufferings and difficulties that should be taken positively
and not negatively. Peter goes on to echo the words of Jesus: You did not see him, yet you loved him and
still without seeing him you are filled with joy…because you believe.
This Sunday gives us the
opportunity to proclaim our faith and recognize its great value. It is the
source of peace, joy and love. It is first of all the basis of our
personal and intimate relationship with the risen Lord and through him
with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, our faith is a
treasure which we should be very happy to possess and appreciate always in
every circumstances. Happy Easter! Happy Sunday!
+John I. Okoye
(GRAPHICS by Chukwubike )
No comments:
Post a Comment