RBWords

 

  

     These words of Jesus are meant to calm a frightened and astonished group of disciples!  They were frightened enough by the prospect that the crowd might turn on them next, but now they are frightened by what might be a ghost!  Jesus wishes them peace and shows them his wounds.  He's not a ghost!  Then comes the line that could sum up the whole gospel:  "As the Father has sent me, so I send you!"

 

     The Church has been celebrating a "Year of Faith" and Jesus' words and the experience of Thomas in the next part of today's gospel scripture put this all into perspective.  "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."  We are challenged to believe in Jesus as the one whom the Father has sent, and then we must believe that we, too, are "sent."

 

     I begin a parish mission this week in a suburb of Houston, TX, which is meant to be a "follow-up" to the experience of those who were baptized at the Easter Vigil, but not only for them, but for all the parish.  Our faith is initially celebrated at Baptism, but it is from that celebration that we are "sent" to preach this faith.  Jesus has "breathed" on us.  Perhaps, like Thomas and those who have come to faith later in life, we have been less than "convinced" by the experience of others.  We needed our own experience of Jesus.  Perhaps we have been convinced by the faith of those whom we know.  In this "Year of Faith" we are challenged to give the gift of faith and not just keep it for our own.  The Father has sent Jesus and Jesus sends us!  AMEN