Word to the Wise
Sunday, April 28, 2019 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - C
[Acts 5:12-16; Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31]"Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. [John]
Although this Sunday, thanks to Pope St. John Paul II, is now known as "Divine Mercy Sunday," the gospel scripture today is clearly about faith. It is about "coming to believe." Jesus speaks the words quoted above to Thomas who refused to believe Jesus had risen unless he could touch the physical wounds from the crucifixion.. Jesus declares "blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." The evangelist, John, points out that he has written the gospel so that others may "come to believe."
We live in a world that seems to revolve around the latest discoveries of science and technology. The test of everything is whether or not it "works" or has been "proven" in clinical experiments. But our world does not seem to be any more peaceful than previous centuries. Science has unlocked the atom and medicine has unlocked the gene. But the results seem more dangerous, especially when the wrong hands get a hold of them. Everything really comes down to the human person and all the complexities of moral decision-making. We are like the sorcerer's apprentice who could get the broom to do his hauling but could not make it stop. (Remember Mickey Mouse in FANTASIA?)
Those who "come to believe" know that faith can guide all discoveries to their true goal, the promotion of peace and human dignity. The intangible quality of faith (and of mercy) is realized in the tangible behavior that comes from belief in Jesus. We come to faith by receiving it from other faithful disciples. If we worship science, we may find it to be a very unmerciful God. The wounds of Christ are all around us in those who suffer from modern weaponry. Faith leads to life now and in eternity. No scientific discovery can promise that or make us "blessed." AMEN