Christians, because we remember the Lord’s extraordinary kindness and his horrible death on the cross, because we believe he rose from the dead and has been revealed to us as the Son of God, because we practice our faith daily with prayer, almsgiving, and reasonable fasting – that is, because we do not routinely abuse our bodies with alien chemicals — because we live this way – are naturally a joyful people. As Saint Peter says in today’s second reading, we “rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.” That comes easier for some of us than for others. Some find it easier to rejoice in the morning than in the evening. Some need that cup of coffee before anything happens. But those are moods and dispositions and they’re beside the point. We know the Lord has risen and the victory has been won, and so we’re glad about that. As Saint John says, “No one can take that joy from us.” Some people call it optimism but optimism and pessimism are something else. They are natural dispositions; either to a natural disposition to optimism, or perhaps a history of disappointments that leaves someone pessimistic. Faith and joy are much deeper than optimism and pessimism. We know there will always be violence, poverty, and war. We know sinful man is disposed to sin; that people betray others as readily as they are betrayed by others; that Original Sin has taught the world to prefer control over chaos, and predictable outcomes over confusion; but our sinful habits and attitudes are also less important and frankly less real than our faith. We know sadness and grief as well; life is full of many disappointments, but we do not grieve like those who have no hope in Eternal Life. In the beginning is the Word of God, and in the beginning of our life and purpose and meaning is our faith in God’s word. In the end is the Word of God and in the end is our destiny in heaven, salvation, and satisfaction. Even before his death and resurrection, as Jesus was standing with John the Baptist in the Jordan River, we heard God’s testimony; he is pleased with his Only Begotten Son and all who belong to him. Most of our fellow citizens in this vast metropolis of the earth, do not have and cannot imagine our confidence. They have never learned that the foundation of all things is the Truth, and that Truth is a Law more dependable than the law of gravity or the rest of Isaac Newton’s laws. They think there is nothing more to this world than appearances; and appearances can change with the weather. They insist that everything can be and should be subject to what people want and what people do with it. Human dominance, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics tell them they can do anything, change anything, and make the world fit their needs, expectations, and demands. Do you want a baby? We can make that happen. Do you want an abortion? No problem. Are you uncomfortable with women? Have sex with men! Would you like to be a man? We can fix that for you. When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, when you wish upon a star your dreams come true. Are you afraid of the consequences of your impulsive, bone-headed decisions? Never mind, they're not important and you’re not important, and there is no truth anyway. When you’re dead, you’re dead, and no one – neither god nor men remember you. We, the faithful, are God’s people; flesh of his flesh, blood of his blood, and bone of his bone; and we live as obedient subjects of God in this world. It belongs to Him and not to us. He knows its destiny, and reveals only glimpses of that destiny to us. He treasures this Earth with all its life and vitality. He has the whole world in his hands, and we’re fine with that. We ask only how we can, like Adam and Eve, husband this garden of our planet. On this Mercy Sunday we hear the Shalom the Lord gives to his disciples and to us. We also hear the gentle rebuke he gives to the stubborn Thomas,
Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Because we want to know the Lord and his resurrection, because we want to believe in something when the world around us believes in nothing, we reach out, touch the Lord, and receive his body and blood as food and drink. Because we are happy, elated by the Lord’s revelation, we tell the world as the disciples told Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!” Because we are the Lord’s, we gladly share mercy, peace, and Shalom with anyone who will receive it. They might not believe us today; but when the Lord returns, they will.
