Easter Sunday

Acts 10:34-43
or Isaiah 25:6-9
Colossians 3:1-4
or Acts 10:34-43
Mark 16:1-8
Psalm 118:14-29 or 118:14-17, 22-24 

Happy Easter!  I hope that this season brings genuine Christian joy to you; a holy “gladness” in your life.  It certainly brought those original disciples hold gladness.

Perhaps the biggest understatement in the entire bible is found in John 20:20, which describes Jesus’ first resurrection appearance to the disciples as they were gathered in a room on that evening.  I’m always amused to read John’s simple description of that significant moment: “Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord” (RSV).  Really?  I’d say they were “glad”!  Stunned would be more like it.  Shocked.  Amazed.  Scared to death.  After the initial shock, a “holy gladness.” 

Of course, one of them was not there.  Thomas.  Where was he, anyway?  He was late for the resurrection.  Whatever the reason, Thomas had gone off alone and had missed Jesus.  When the disciples attempted to tell him the good news, he said, “Oh, come on.  No way.  I won’t believe it unless I see for myself”.  He’ll get that opportunity a week later.

The author of the Gospel of John is always telling and interpreting his stories for a theological purpose.  One of the interpretations that can be made from this particular account is the theological truth that when we separate ourselves from the faith community we can slip into a state of weakened faith.  It is like the old saying about taking a coal out of a fire and placing it off to the side.  While the other coals burn along together, the isolated one begins to go out.  Thomas may not have gone out, but he certainly was cooling.

It is true that we often best recognize Jesus when we are in the company of others.  I can’t think of anybody, including the great theologians of the faith, who – on their own – learned of God.  Everybody has the idea and possibility of God introduced to them by someone else.  It takes community.

Thomas had missed a significant occasion in the life of that early Christian community, and had no one to help him deal with his confusion following the events of Good Friday.  One of the most important things a group of people can do for one another is to provide support.  This is a very significant role of Christ’s body, the Church.  And when someone is missing, they and the group are not whole.

As you celebrate Easter and give thanks for the blessings in your life as well as strive to cope with difficult events, remember your community of faith.  It is a God-given blessing, and one that I hope you count as significant in your life.  Happy Easter from your Christian community.  Share the good news with others.  Like Thomas, some may say, “Oh, come on.  No way.  I won’t believe it unless I see for myself”.  Upon deeper reflection, however, they and others might also say, like Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” (20:28).

Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge
The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas