DRAW US NEAR

Approaching The Risen One During The Easter Season

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Once again, we gather with the entire Christian Church to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is also, of course, our parish Patronal Feast. We are blessed. We get to celebrate not only for a day, but for the entire Octave of Easter. As if that weren’t enough, we have an entire season of Easter to celebrate the joys of the Resurrection. The reason for rejoicing is obvious to those of us who believe. Death has been defeated. We are saved. We have hope for this life and the next. Light has triumphed over darkness, and we have been enkindled by Christ. We believe today in large measure because of the witness and martyrdom of the first believers. We have been handed down the truths and practice of the faith. Our place is to receive the Good News with joy, and to share the Good News with others. May we and all those who claim Christ as Lord, celebrate well the Resurrection throughout the Holy Season of Easter, anticipating with eagerness the further outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us.

Throughout the Octave of Easter, we read different resurrection accounts at Mass. Each day, I find myself saying “this is my favorite account.” And then, the next day, “No, it’s this one.” Day after day, the Church offers us accounts of our Lord’s appearing to the first believers. I do not actually have a “favorite,” but I have to say I am rather partial to the account from John 20, which we read on Divine Mercy Sunday. The cover of this issue of our magazine includes a painting of the encounter captured in the latter part of the chapter, when Thomas meets the Risen Lord.

Thomas, as you will recall, was not present with the other disciples when Jesus appeared the evening of that first day of the week, when Jesus rose from the dead. The other disciples told him they had seen Jesus. Perhaps like you or I would have, Thomas struggled to believe, and said, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” The next Sunday, Thomas was there, and Jesus again said those beautiful words, “Peace be with you.” After that, Jesus invited Thomas close to put his finger in his hand and his hand into his side. The encounter was one of love, and Jesus exhorted him (and us too!) by saying “Be no longer unbelieving, but believe.”

Such is the Lord’s condescension and grace. Jesus did not reject Thomas for having doubted, for having questioned. He showed Thomas his hands and his side, and invited him to believe. And Thomas worshiped, declaring before anyone else in the scriptures, “My Lord and my God!” May we join Thomas in worshiping and adoring our Risen Lord, and be encouraged that the Lord does not reject those who question; He draws them near.

With gratitude for our Risen Lord,

Fr. Steve Mattson

LIZ O'NEILL