For Sunday, April 3, 2016 – John 20:19-31
Thomas and Jesus consider one of the oldest of questions: Do we believe what we see, or do we see what we believe? For some of us, belief requires tangible evidence. We want to believe—whether the subject is justice for all or love of neighbor or fairness in the work place—and we do, when we see and experience it for ourselves. For others of us, the tangible evidence becomes clearer to us once we begin to believe.
Jesus accepts either way. He does not shame Thomas for his uncertainty, but invites him to touch the wounds in his body and find the confirmation he needs. At the same time, he gives a nod of affirmation to those who never see yet come to believe anyway. They are not imprisoned by the seduction of literalism. They do not need their faith to fit neatly in tidy square boxes with sharply defined edges. These believers might not even think of themselves as believers, yet they are less likely to bind the Spirit and can follow wherever the dance leads them. Blessed are those who trust what they have not yet seen.
What does it mean to trust the evidence of what we cannot see? Is the resurrection real and with us now in this dear despairing world? Maybe in any act where hope triumphs over hate, kindness stands up to bigotry and loving action conquers anger and shame, we are seeing resurrection. Maybe resurrection is what we are seeing when Mexican artist Pedro Reyes melts down confiscated gang weapons to make musical instruments and shovels for the planting of trees. Maybe we are witnessing resurrection in the story of Ronald Cotton, wrongly convicted of rape and sentenced to life in prison, and then exonerated after years behind bars. Instead of harboring hatred and fantasies of revenge, he chose to forgive the woman who accused him and even to build a friendship. Today they work together on behalf of others who also have been wrongly accused.
Once we see evidence like this, how can we not believe? To believe is to bear witness to hope rising, to choose life, and again life, over death. We do not need to manufacture proof that Jesus is among us. We only need resurrection eyes to see him already in our midst.
