THOMAS SUNDAY

Amazing Grace

When the apostles who had previously beheld the risen Lord in the flesh related their testimony to Didimus (the twin) the Apostle Thomas protested: “You can’t convince me of that which you supposedly saw! I must witness the actual wounds in his body, the nail prints on his hands and feet; my finger is to touch those very wounds and further touch the side that was pierced by the lance. This is the only way I truly can authenticate that he is in fact risen as you all claim he has!” (Jn 20: 24-25)

Now that we have all settled/recovered gracefully from the overwhelmingly pleasant services of Holy Week, we slowly get back to the normal rhythm of our lives. Like the Apostles who were at odds with what just took place, we too tend to loose focus quickly upon that which we have celebrated: Christ the victor, Jesus the life, and Emmanuel the Lord who never abandons his flock!

We like Thomas may be quick to reason with that which can’t be easily categorized: It is not black and white with the Father Pantocrator (Almighty); this is not to say that scripture is wishy washy, no, for the Lord speaks truthfully and is transparent at all times – there is no deceit in God!!!!

Rather, we the followers, the modern day disciples tend to cast judgment and forget that there are many shades of grey – we can’t say how the Lord chooses to deal with various and above all ‘delicate situations – a reason amongst others is why the Apostle John states that many other events and occurrences were not written down (Jn 21:25)

It’s not for us to decide, if anything – the Holy Spirit imparts various gifts upon his people within the Church; clergy and lay - such as these exist to harbour the Lord’s decrees and allow his presence to be known and loved! Let us consider the truth of the matter where Christians are supposed to be known for their love – the reason why many in formative years came to the faith…..this notion of love (the Incarnation and nailing the fragility of humanity to the wood of the cross) has been totally forgotten in word and deed!

Furthermore, when someone who we have come to know, love and appreciate in our lives is taken from us especially in tragic circumstances, we like the Apostles on mount Golgotha begin to fret and rightfully so within our human fragility. All logic, faith, status, and intelligence flies out the window so to speak/write; a double brick wall blocks the entrance of our being and we find ourselves in the dark.

Like Thomas, we begin to remark: ‘why, how, what for, this is nonsense – not to say that we would use all sorts of colourful language because that’s what we all do when deep hurt is present!’ I have buried many people under various circumstances and once at the cemetery or crematorium, we try to cover the hurt with the hope of ‘a better place awaits us’ but deep down we get pulled away via the laments of secular society; ‘It all stops here, live your life because that’s it, wishful thinking dies when the mind is laid to rest!’

Yet, we forget something very important and this is impossible to eradicate in any way; ‘LOVE NEVER DIES!’ In addition, spouses who were childhood sweethearts so to speak can’t live without the other when they mature and as is the case; when one spouse goes (dies) the other follows shortly after; love is inseparable!

We who live in western and well established countries have a tendency to break down and hurl abuse at God and even mock him like the un-repented thief who hung on the Lord’s left did when things go wrong or when something out of the ordinary takes place. We become rather weak and immerse ourselves into panic mode.

Yet people who live in apostolic lands especially the Middle East, who live each day as if it were their last, they never blaspheme, if anything they utter the prayer of righteous Dismas who hung on the Lord’s right: ‘Remember me in your Kingdom!’ Their faith does not fail, nor does their strength and determination in the belief that God will provide.

We are living in turbulent times with the strong possibility of world peace being threatened by another war. It is useless to say ‘we haven’t learnt from the past’ - have conferences (emergency meetings) and tackle issues to delay etc. Some would say to me that I’m a lunatic, but this lunatic tries to remind the ‘know it all’s’ that: “human fragility complies with the power of suggestion via greed which originates from evil personified!”

The only way that peace can be achieved is to lay aside our arrogance, our ego, our ambitions, and last but not least the ME, MYSELF AND I syndrome where such behaviour advocates that everyone around me is not a human person but mere subject! Slavery (hades/hell) still has a hold on us ONLY via our own stupidities that we continue to wilfully bring upon ourselves!

This Sunday we are presented with the Apostle Thomas who is invited to examine the certainty of the Lord’s wounds so that doubt may be cast aside. Yet, how many times on a Sunday or any other day do we see supposed disciples (Christians) dressing down others because of their ego and thirst for prestige at the expense of a fellow human being: hammering the nails in deeper and running in of the spear – adding to the brokenness of another human soul!

Thus, we tend to complain: “Why are there no vocations to the priesthood?” “Why are the young not amongst us?” “Why are people in general not coming to church?” First and foremost, Covid 19 promoted a time of re-evaluation of things in life! Secondly, young men single and married are not willing to join such a circus which we the control freaks (not the Church – Christ’s Mystical Body which is all holy) have become!

Lastly, people in general especially the young don’t get anything out of it because we are not willing to adapt to the needs of our time as St. John Chrysostom advocated concerning traditions and practices! As I have mentioned to fellow bishops: “Now is not the time for rituals and ancient customs, but the time for Catechesis – teaching and nourishment so that our people may once again resume their liturgical observance and prayer rhythm WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT!”

St. Ambrose of Milan (339-397AD) understood this problem way back in his time where the people were sick of the carryings on of the clergy and the hypocrisy of Christians in general – people fell away and were no longer interested. Yet, Ambrose truly believed in his apostolic mission and he had a heart which bled for his people (believers and non-believers) he truly had the heart of a Shepherd!

He (Ambrose) was definitely not a hired worker (Jn 10:13) like many of them (bishops and high ranking clergy) today who dress up in the finest of vestments and are adorn with more medallions than a whole team of athletes who stared in the Olympic games!!! Indeed the Apostle Paul invites us to train like athletes in our spiritual journey (1Cor 9:25-27) our eyes should not be on the prize of self-acclamation!

The prize bestowed is the crown of righteousness (life which never dies) via being an example to others so that they too may share in that same prize. It is then that we may indulge in the treasures (goodness and grace rendered onto us and those we love and have adopted) which the heart has accumulated (Mt 6:21) – life amongst the Communion of Saints.

Hence, Metropolitan Ambrose invested in a series of workshops where he would call those who had lost interest in the Church to come and listen to what he had to say. He was deeply loved and it was because he loved saint and sinner as the fundamentalists would say, that they all flocked to his cathedral after the morning liturgy - listening to his teachings (catechesis) whilst they sat and ate reverently from the picnic lunch prepared: the Apostle Thomas who once again returned to examine the Lord’s wounds via his invitation as it were!

Before the Gospel is proclaimed within the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church, the priest prays an most sensitive plea onto God: “Lord Jesus Christ, illumine our hearts for you are the pure light of divine knowledge, and in your love for us; open the eyes of our mind as you did to your disciples at Emmaus by revealing thy Gospel for you are the Word incarnate!

May we be sensitive with reverence and awe as we live by thy commandments via your grace laying aside all earthly desires; lift our hearts and minds to you that we may truly become your living gospel in the world ushering in a new Pentecost for the conversion of the nations!

For you alone are the light that pierces through our darkness; our hope which raises all hearts on wings of prayer! Hence, we glorify thy Holy Name O, Christ our God, in the Everlasting Father and the Life Creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen!”

Thus, when the dust of our anxieties settle and the torrents of doubt have past, may we come to the realization that we can only find peace and be at ease in the source of life who is eternal and the gift of grace which is freely outpoured in humility. Hence, may we have the courage of the Apostle Thomas who learnt to lay aside his baggage and come to his senses in the realization that love does not merely exist but is truly alive (Jesus) and is the fullness of life!

Hence, a week had passed after all these events and Thomas was gathered with his brothers locked in the upper room for they were in hiding for fear of the presbyteral college. They beheld the presence of their Lord amongst them who greeted them saying: “Peace be upon you!”

Jesus then addressed Thomas saying: “Reach out with your fingers and examine my wounds – have no further doubt but believe!” At this Thomas exclaimed: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus then replied: “You say this because you have seen and examined me….Blessed are those who do not see me but in faith believe in my Name!” (Jn 20: 26-29)