St. Anthony & Our Lady of Fatima

On the evening of Easter Sunday, Jesus makes his appearance to the disciples, though Thomas is absent.  It is only one week later when Jesus appears again.  During this intervening week, what did the other disciples say to Thomas?  Why was he obstinate in the face of their witness?  Thomas experienced Jesus throughout his earthly ministry and heard the eyewitness testimony of his friends.   Still, his lack of belief persisted.  Only a personal experience of the risen Christ would melt away his doubt.  Such is a model of how individuals come to faith.  Sometimes, like Thomas, despite all the testimony of believers, faith does not take root unless one personally encounters the risen Christ.

Much as it may sound surprising to us, the resurrection of Jesus seemed to be a surprise to his disciples.  May of Magdala’s first reaction is logical:  the body was stolen.  Peter and the Beloved Disciple see for themselves that the tomb is empty, but only one believes.  They did not understand the Scripture.  We are reminded that we live by faith and we seek understanding.  Easter gives us our north star, the guiding light by which we live our lives.  On this Easter morning, may we be open to the unexpected ways that God may work in our lives.

Palm Sunday is a commemoration of highs and lows, exaltation and tragedy.  We enter the church bearing palms singing Hosanna, and only minutes later we cry in unison. “Let him be crucified.”  The liturgical juxtaposition is certainly intended and representative of fickle humanity, not only during the events of Holy Week, but quite regularly, down into our modern era.  Profound themes of betrayal, trust, friendship, power and humility are present in the gospel reading from Matthew.  The example of Jesus inspires us to be true to God’s will in our own lives.  We are called to remain faithful to God, ever trusting in his wisdom and providential care.

After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, many began to believe in him – that he had been sent by the Father.  What do we believe about Jesus?  Do we believe he is the author of life with power over death?  Are there any people like Lazarus in our own lives who need to be raised to new life?  Lazarus was a prefiguring of the resurrection.  And yet, even Lazarus died again.  Jesus’ own resurrection is no a mere resuscitation, but a raising to new life, qualitatively different, never subject to death again.