Homilies

So, whether we are office worker, truck driver, medical worker, student or happily retired – our duty is the same: to gather with other disciples and follow the Way of Jesus – the Way of Truth and Life in compassion, service and sacrifice looking forward to sharing with them that dwelling place in God’s House.

We, too, are called to do simple things: to cook and to clean, to work and to study, to reach out to a friend, to pray. And sometimes we are called to suffer, whether it be the death of a loved one, the failure of a project, or rejection by a friend. Sickness, financial difficulties, day-to-day struggles – in all of these, Jesus promises, is the way to life. Suffering is not explained, but rather is offered as a mystical part of following Christ and completing his work. In our gospel today, Jesus says that he is both the shepherd who leads us and the gate through which we are to enter into a more abundant life.

one of the first lessons of the Gospel passage is that no matter where we are on the journey Jesus meets us there. While those two disciples “were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them.” He heard their concerns and disappointments and then opened their eyes to the Truth, to the transforming message of the Resurrection. So too Jesus meets each of us, draws near us daily on the way, where we are in life. He listens to our joys, our concerns, our hurts. He gives us his very self, if we but let him, which leads to a second lesson from our Gospel story.

Thomas’ profession was based on the undeniable manifestation of God’s enormous love. With Thomas, the Lord calls us to this same lifelong transforming experience from doubt to faith. “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29). We must open our minds and the eyes of our hearts to recognize the Lord present in our own wounds and the wounds of others.

Christ has Risen! Alleluia! We are filled with the joy of this Easter Season. But what is it that brings joy? Is it the beautiful flowers? Is it the sweetness that extra candy brings to our diet? Does the joy come from the warmer temperatures and signs of Spring that accompany this time of the year in the northern hemisphere? Certainly, these external realities can bring us a feeling of contentment and happiness. But when we celebrate the Joy of Easter, we know that there is even something more profound.