The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, Caravaggio, 1602

Easter 2A - Acts 2:14a,22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31

I have been wondering why the Risen One bore the wounds of a crucifixion. Why didn’t the Easter power of God produce a glorious, entirely healed body?

I don’t know.

I do know that not all wounds are easy to spot. They can be hidden behind a smile, a good job or a “Fine, thanks.” They can be disguised as fear, irritability or anger — “the vocabulary of the deeply wounded whose burdens are more than they can bear.”1

The Risen One bore the deadly wounds of the crucifixion. Not unlike the deadly wounds inflicted by racism, domestic violence, homelessness, war-lust and greed. Resurrection was God’s response. Like Thomas, we desperately need to see it.

So, like Thomas, we need to look for it.

Scripture says that for Jesus, resurrection took three days. That feels fast to me. I think most resurrections take longer. For most of us hope is grasped, help materializes and things change more slowly. But it happens.

All of which is to say that what I learn from this Sunday’s gospel is that when I meet someone who may be bearing terrible wounds, I want to look for some sign of the Risen One. I believe a resurrection may be underway.

Easter Peace.

Attributed to Fr. Greg Boyle, Homeboy Industries.

I am taking an Easter break in the hopes of getting ahead of the yard work. Sermon Starts will be back on Friday, May 1 for Easter 5. Thank you for reading. As always, you are in my prayers of thanksgiving.

Sermon Starts

Look for the Resurrection.