Faith is always given within a community. Jesus is not recognized in solitude but in the relationship with the brothers and sisters who form the ecclesial community. It is the believing community that makes the journey of faith, supporting each other, putting together doubts and difficulties, discoveries and defenses. Sharing a common faith has its share of complexities, but it’s more joyful than believing in solitude. In the fraternal relationship, the confession of faith becomes a public commitment that I must verify in my daily conduct before others.
This reality, so fundamental for the Church, is reflected in this Sunday’s readings. The Acts of the Apostles emphasises the aspect of the sharing of everything by the community of believers. Those who made up the Church of those early days had everything in common. In the midst of the community the apostles witnessed to the resurrection of the Lord. The witness was welcomed and shared. Faith as well as the lives of the faithful were shared and celebrated in all their dimensions. So that no one was in need.
But that did not mean that the early community did not have problems, that believing was easy for them. On the contrary, it was not easy even for the apostles themselves. Faith in the resurrection of Jesus was not something achieved in the blink of an eye. It was a process in which the apostles and the other disciples grew together. Today’s Gospel is a direct witness to this reality.
Jesus who was crucified, now presents in the midst of his disciples, speaks to their hearts, and confirms them in their faith. There is also the curious case of Thomas who was away from the community at the time of Jesus’ appearance to the disciples. He insists to see the Risen Lord and he wants to see the signs of the nail-wounds and touch him. He wants to be sure that he is not deceived by some hallucinations of his fellow companions. The Lord who is not physically present with Thomas at the time he insisted seeing him, but apparently knew exactly what he was asking for. In his appearance a week later, Jesus answers all the demands of Thomas. He saw it and believed.
Today it is proposed to us to meet Jesus. Not with the Jesus we imagine but with the real Jesus of the Gospels. We are obliged to read them in detail. To commit ourselves to follow him, because he is alive, he is around! To believe in his resurrection means nothing can remain the same. In front of our brothers and sisters we commit ourselves to live as people who live as Jesus lived.
For your reflection
To say that Jesus has risen means to believe in eternal life, but does it also have any consequences for this life? How can I be a sign of resurrection for those who live with me, for my family or my community? Do I dare to commit myself to being a Christian in front of my community?
Father Fernando Torres CMF
www.ciudadredonda.org
Translated by Father Alberto Rossa CMF
