One of my favorite quotes from fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP, former Master of the Order of Preachers, is "Sometimes we can do no more than enact the signs of what is to come." I keep that quote before me in several places at home and at work. I think that there are two things underlying that quote that connect directly to this week's readings. The first is hope and the second is perseverance.
The first reading from Act tells of the early Christian community that was "of one heart and mind". In whatever groups we find ourselves, in our families or religious communities, our neighborhoods, parish congregations , companies or institutions, being of one heart and mind is rarely how we could honestly describe the atmosphere. Often, identified members of the Christian world act anything but christian toward other indentified members of the Christian world. It is not only disheartening, but often the cause of even more struggle ! Yet, if we continue "to bear witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus" as they did, our fragmented efforts will coalesce into how it is supposed to be. In other words, the little and big things we do, in hope, to live the Gospel, matter. They really do matter!
The story from the Gospel of John has many familiar parts. What struck me about the parts, however, was why Jesus did what He did in each of them. Why did He appear to the disciples rather than send more angels to announce the Resurrection or why did He come back to include Thomas and revive his faith or... well, whatever. My answer is because Jesus, being fully human, knew human needs. He knew what would calm fear and what would help dissipate unbelief.
"Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples" and continues to do them today, directly (although we do not see Him) and indirectly, and through others. He knows what we need. Sometimes that may be one of those signs of kindness that fr. Timothy mentioned that a person does out of hope and perseverance, unknowingly helping a small part of the world to become what is supposed to be. This Sunday, may we all participate in receiving Divine Mercy for the times we have forgotten what the Kingdom is about as well as the ability to remember more easily.
In my family's current emergency situation, we are still experiencing the fog of shock. Fortunately, there are rays of hope that trickle in through the acts of long-time friends and folks we barely know. They counteract the unbelievable conflict that has also arisen. I walk around shaking my head. Why is there a conflict at all? Instead of healing, there is unnecessary pain. I re-read the readings and hear again "Peace be with you." I try to imagine what a 24/7 embracing of that will be like when there will be no more 24/7. What happened to the peaceful community that we read about in the first reading?
Then I recall something important about peace. Little by little, such peace is always there; it needs only to be recognized and regrown within, perhaps even restarted. My thanks to those who continue to enact the signs of what is to come. Because of them, I have been able actually to read the readings this week when last week, I could only remember them in my heart.
(Comments to Lanie at lanieleblanc@mindspring.com.)