Christ is Risen, Alleluia! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!
In a world of cynicism and suffering, it can be tempting to see celebration as something flippant, irrelevant and heartless. However, in the light of the resurrection, and in witness to Christ, celebration takes on a prophetic character. This week as we continue to remember the resurrection of Christ and the life it brings, we are also called to the prophetic work of celebration.
This week we reflect on faith and doubt. It may be that we make far more of Thomas’s doubt than Jesus does. The point of the story, after all, is Thomas’ shift to faith – not his doubt. If we choose to focus on praise and celebration, however, the readings for this week are both inspiring and deeply challenging, in terms of our witness for Christ.
In the Acts passage, it is the faith and determination of the disciples to worship Jesus, that makes them so bold in the face of the threats from the religious leaders. It is the worship of the Psalmist – and of the people and creatures that respond to the call to praise – that provides the celebration at the end of the Psalter, bringing all of the lament, grief, pain and suffering of the Psalms into a moment of final celebration.
In the Revelation, it is John’s worship of Jesus, and his faith in the Risen One, that moves him to write about his vision of hope and grace in the final consummation of Jesus’ saving work.
And, in the Gospel, Thomas’ journey into faith becomes an example for the Gospel’s readers to follow, and invites people of faith into a life of celebration and of witness to the resurrection. In the light of this, the call of the Lectionary for this week is for us to respond to God’s saving work in Christ, and in his resurrection, with celebration which then inspires and strengthens us to witness to Christ and Christ’s way, even when we face persecution and suffering for Christ’s sake. Let us witness to Christ’s living way as little resurrections bringing life to all!
MESSAGE – Second Sunday in Easter – C – 24 April 2022
