'We have seen the Lord!'

LUKE, the author of today's Gospel, places the first apparition of the Risen Lord to his Apostles after the return of the two disciples from Emmaus, about whom we read in last Sunday's Gospel. The joy of the Resurrection, it seems, did not exclude the feeling expressed in the popular phrase that some things are often too good to be true.

The news of the empty tomb and rumours that Jesus's body had been stolen by his disciples was no doubt already circulating in Jerusalem. Hence the fear that made the disciples hide behind closed doors.

But then, all of a sudden, Jesus, whose glorified body needed no open door to enter, suddenly stood in their midst. Proof beyond all doubt of the identity of the Lord was given by the wounded hands and side which he showed them. Jesus greeted them with the words "Peace be to you!" And after breathing on them he added: "Receive the Holy Spirit! Whose sins you shall forgive, are forgiven!"

Thomas, however, as we read, was absent on this important occasion. When he later joined his companions and heard from them that Jesus was alive again and had appeared to them, his spontaneous reaction was clear and simple: "Unless I see and touch him, I shall not believe!" This story, which we have heard many times, ends with the words of the Risen Lord: "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have learned to believe." At this point we hear Thomas's stupendous confession: "My Lord and my God!"

The case of Thomas, in whom Jesus took a special interest, is very important because, as St Gregory remarks, the slow surrender of Thomas is of greater advantage to strengthen our faith than the more ready faith of the rest of the Apostles.

For faith, as we Christians understand it, is not a mere feeling about something being true, but a conviction based on fact. Nor is faith believing in what one sees, but accepting as true what others have seen or experienced. The Apostles, now including Thomas, have believed after they have seen. It is therefore on their faith based on seeing that our own faith as Christians can ultimately have its truly solid foundation.

On this occasion, as we further read in today's Gospel, Jesus gave to the apostles and their successors the power to forgive sins: "Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven!" Accordingly the Church has perpetually understood this act of the Saviour as the institution of the sacrament of Penance.

Thus the sacrament of pardon was instituted under the sign of the Saviour's peace, on the most joyful day in world history! Just as through faith we step into a new transformed life, so by means of forgiveness we participate again in all that the Risen Lord stands for. The act of forgiveness on our part will itself be transforming, becoming a source of true peace and deep joy.

In the course of our life as Christians we are sure to come across other Thomases. Our responsibility as Christians is to pass on to others the message of salvation which has come to us through Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Church. We may be the most able preachers one could possibly imagine as far as our contacts with others are concerned.

Whether they will believe what we 'say' to them by word of mouth remains doubtful, no matter where or when. It is the way we actually 'practise' our Christian faith that can best pave the way for them in their efforts, conscious or not, to reach the truth about the Risen Lord and surrender to his saving grace.