Two-Minute Homily by Dcn Peter Devenish Meares for the Second Sunday of Easter 2024.
“When lost, doubting and struggling, what would you have Jesus say to you today right where you are?”
- Two-Minute Homily Transcript
Two-Minute Homily Transcript
Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane
Who are we going to call on when life gets in the way of all of our plans, hopes and machinations. When you are trepidatious and doubt comes. When dreams and plans and ideas come to nothing. In todays Gospel, Thomas who saw his hopes come to nothing at Calvary sees the risen Jesus, then trusts, surrenders and believes. I have often wondered even been jealous of Thomas who experienced Jesus so amazingly that he could right then and there, albeit after missing Jesus earlier appearance. But better late than never.In todays Gospel, Thomas first expresses incredulous doubt, no holds barred. He bluntly talks about his doubts and the reality that he has missed out on the earlier life changing encounter with Jesus the week before. Thomas was human and said that he doubted, and could not accept what he had heard the others talk about. Then right there he meets Jesus, the risen Jesus, in the midst of his reality. Jesus speaks directly to him, invites him to faith, to life.
I reckon there are at least three steps and no skipping ahead to the end or taking shortcuts. Thomas’ doubt meets Jesus, he then accepts and believes and meeting Jesus makes all the difference to his life. What is also amazing is that Jesus speaks directly to us then and to us now, two millennia later. And we didn’t have Thomas’s direct experience of Him. Yet we still come each week, week in, week out, in our doubts, in our struggles, in our humanity.
So when work plans go awry or we are overwhelmed by stuff or a set back take us into fear and despair. We may forget about Thomas’ life changing encounter with Jesus. Or even miss the wonderful Psalm today with the eternal promise, “give thanks to God for he is good, his love is everlasting”. When lost, doubting and struggling, what would you have Jesus say to you today right where you are?
Today in this Easter season of possibilities beyond reason, Jesus is here. Love beyond all telling, listening to us, calling to us, in the starkness and fears of life especially when were are stuck, fearful or are tempted to give in. May the Risen Christ meet you right where you are. It will make all the difference.