At Our Fingertips: Homily for the Second Sunday of Easter
Notes for the Finicky:
Comparison between the first and second drafts will show improved transitions between the various sections of the homily (the text of the first draft follows the the text of the second).
Also, throughout the homily, you'll note a tighter connection between Thomas' statement and current experiences of Christ's real presence.
Thanks for your interest. I hope my homiletic trials and tribulations are of some assistance to you.
Happy Easter! JMS
[Second Draft]
At Our Fingertips: Homily for the Second Sunday of Easter
“My Lord and my God!”
That’s what Thomas said
just a few seconds after he traced the outline of the scars
on Jesus’ hands.
“My Lord and my God!”
What else would he say…
as his hand probed the gash in Jesus’ side?
“My Lord and my God.”
It’s a statement of astonishment,
a statement of belief,
a statement of astonishing belief.
“My Lord and my God!”
___________
As you all know,
Easter is a time to reassess our belief;
a time to reassess our relationship
with the One in whom we believe.
Just last week, at the Easter Vigil here at St. Al’s,
we witnessed eighteen people
professing their belief in Christ.
Like the apostle Thomas, their statement of belief
was astonishing…as belief in the Risen Christ always is.
Each one of them saying to all of us:
“Here in this Catholic Church,
here in this community of St. Al’s,
I have found God, I have encountered the Lord!
Here in the body of the Church,
I have come in touch with the Body of Christ.”
Like modern apostles
we gathered around these new friends of ours
as they spoke the message of St. Thomas the Apostle:
“My Lord and my God!”
What an astonishing statement:
“Here, at our fingertips…our Lord and God!”
________________
Easter is a time to reassess our relationship
with the Risen Christ…our Lord, our God,
present with us…at our fingertips.
It’s a necessary thing to do.
When we are in relationship with someone,
no matter who it is,
we need to remind ourselves
of who the other person is
and why we love him or her.
One of my favorite Catholic authors,
Amy Wellborn,
compares this to the Catholic habit of reciting
those ancient statements of faith called Creeds:
the Apostles’ Creed when we pray the rosary,
the Nicene Creed when we gather for Mass.
No matter whom we love, she says,
we occasionally need to remind ourselves
of who that other person truly is.
She illustrates her point by talking about a mother
who, at night, goes into a difficult child’s bedroom
and watches him as he sleeps,
letting his calm, peaceful expression
remind her of his essential goodness and potential.
A similar exercise is needed
when we grow angry at an adult friend or a spouse.
We consciously need to step back and remind ourselves
of who that person really is.
_________
Today, the words of St. Thomas
serve to remind us of who Christ really is.
Why is this be necessary?
It’s necessary because there are a lot of misconceptions
floating around
about who Christ truly is and where he is truly found.
If you ask me, one of the most harmful “heresies”
afloat today is the notion that
“spirituality” is as solid as religion.
How often don’t you hear people say,
“Well, I’m a spiritual person, but I don’t go to church.”
Or
“I’m spiritual, but organized religion doesn’t ‘do it’ for me.”
Well, they have a point.
Organize religion is a hassle.
But so is going to school.
And so is living within a family.
Yet these “hassles” are necessary for a fulfilling life.
So, yes, belonging to the Church is a hassle.
St. Thomas, in fact, would be the first to agree.
The proof is right there in today’s gospel passage.
Did you notice that, in the days immediately after Easter,
Thomas became the first dissenter in the Church?
That’s right!
He didn’t believe a thing that Peter or Mary Magdalene
or John or anyone else had to say about the Resurrection.
“I don’t believe it!” he said.
“And nobody in “the Church”
is going to make me believe in something
I don’t want to believe in!”
Fortunately, Thomas didn’t pack his bags and leave.
And fortunately, the Church, like a mother looking upon a difficult son,
was understanding enough not to kick him out.
This is fortunate because, as Thomas would soon find out,
the heart of the Christian faith
isn’t about coming in touch with your feelings,
it’s about coming in touch with the Risen Lord,
the reality of the Risen Lord
who lives at the center of the community of believers,
just like ours here at St. Al’s.
This is true spirituality at work:
a spirituality in touch…
not with vague, hazy “feelings”
that dwell somewhere inside of you,
but a spirituality in touch with
something absolutely, astonishingly real
that exists outside of you…
the reality of the Risen Christ.
_______________
St. Thomas’ statement of faith,
his creed, is also our creed:
“My Lord and my God.”
The Body of Christ…here, at our fingertips.
The Blood of Christ…here, in the chalice upon this altar.
The real presence of Christ set within the reality of life.
The presence of Christ…
inside that the difficult boy at whose doorway you stand at half-past midnight.
The presence of Christ…
in the spouse to whom you have pledged your love and support
in good times and in bad.
The reality of Christ…
in the face of the stranger with whom you pray the Mass,
in the elderly neighbor who lives down the street,
in this world of ours reaching out for peace,
in this world of our grasping for redemption.
“My Lord and my God!”
Here in this Church called Catholic.
Here in this parish called St. Al’s.
Here, in the holy sacraments we touch.
Here, as nowhere else, the tangible presence of Christ,
the touchable reality of the one, true God.
[First Draft]
“My Lord and my God.”
That’s what Thomas said
a few seconds after having placed his hand
into the gash in Jesus’ side,
right after having traced the scars on Jesus’ hands.
“My Lord and my God.”
As most of you know,
at the Easter Vigil here at St. Al’s,
we witnessed eighteen people
professing their belief in Christ.
Each one of them saying, as it were,
“Here in this Catholic Church,
here in this community of St. Al’s,
I have found God,
I have encountered the Lord.
Here in the body of the Church,
I have come in touch with the Body of Christ.”
Like modern apostles
we gathered around these friends of ours
as they themselves spoke the amazing message
of St. Thomas the Apostle:
“My Lord and my God.”
“Here, at my fingertips!
My Lord and my God!”
________________
Every now and then,
when we are in relationship with someone…
no matter who it is,
we need to remind ourselves
of who the other person is
and why we love him or her.
One of my favorite Catholic authors,
Amy Wellborn,
takes about this when she describes
the importance of reciting
the Apostles’ Creed when we pray the rosary
or the Nicene Creed when we gather at Sunday Mass.
No matter who we love, she says,
we occasionally need to remind ourselves
of who that other person truly is.
She illustrates her point
by talking about a mother
who, at night, goes into a difficult child’s bedroom
and watches him as he sleeps,
letting his calm, peaceful expression
remind her of his essential goodness and potential.
A similar exercise is needed
when we grow angry at an adult friend or a spouse.
We consciously need to remind ourselves
of who that person really is.
_________
Today, the words of St. Thomas
serve to remind us of who Christ really is.
Why might this be necessary?
It’s necessary
because there are a lot of misconceptions
of who Christ truly is
and where he is truly found.
If you ask me, one of the most harmful heresies
afloat today is the popular notion that
spirituality is as solid as religion.
How often don’t you hear people say,
“Well, I’m a spiritual person, but I don’t go to church.”
Or
“I’m spiritual, but organized religion doesn’t ‘do it’ for me.”
Well, organize religion is a hassle.
And St. Thomas would be the first to agree with you.
Did you notice, for instance,
that, in the days after Easter,
Thomas is the first dissenter in the Church?
He didn’t believe a thing that Peter or Mary Magdelene
or John or anyone else had to say about the Resurrection.
“I don’t believe it!” he said.
“And nobody in this here “church”
is going to make me believe in something
I don’t want to believe in!”
Fortunately, Thomas didn’t pack his bags and leave.
And fortunately, the Church was understanding enough not to kick him out.
Because, as Thomas would soon find out,
the heart of the Christian faith
isn’t about coming in touch with your feelings,
it’s about coming in touch with the Risen Lord,
the reality of the Risen Lord
who lives at the center of the community of believers.
This is true spirituality at work:
a spirituality in touch with something absolutely, astonishingly real.
“My Lord and my God.”
The Body of Christ.
Here, at our fingertips.
The Blood of Christ.
Here, in the chalice upon our altar.
The Presence of Christ.
Here, inside that the difficult boy at whose doorway you stand at half-past midnight.
Here, in the spouse to whom you have pledged your love and support.
Here, in the face of the stranger with whom you pray the Mass.
Here, in the elderly neighbor who lives alone.
Here, in this world of ours reaching out for peace.
Here, in the world straining for love.
Here in this Church called Catholic.
Here in this parish called St. Al’s.
Here, in the holy sacraments we touch.
Here, as nowhere else, the tangible presence of the one, true God.
Comparison between the first and second drafts will show improved transitions between the various sections of the homily (the text of the first draft follows the the text of the second).
Also, throughout the homily, you'll note a tighter connection between Thomas' statement and current experiences of Christ's real presence.
Thanks for your interest. I hope my homiletic trials and tribulations are of some assistance to you.
Happy Easter! JMS
[Second Draft]
At Our Fingertips: Homily for the Second Sunday of Easter
“My Lord and my God!”
That’s what Thomas said
just a few seconds after he traced the outline of the scars
on Jesus’ hands.
“My Lord and my God!”
What else would he say…
as his hand probed the gash in Jesus’ side?
“My Lord and my God.”
It’s a statement of astonishment,
a statement of belief,
a statement of astonishing belief.
“My Lord and my God!”
___________
As you all know,
Easter is a time to reassess our belief;
a time to reassess our relationship
with the One in whom we believe.
Just last week, at the Easter Vigil here at St. Al’s,
we witnessed eighteen people
professing their belief in Christ.
Like the apostle Thomas, their statement of belief
was astonishing…as belief in the Risen Christ always is.
Each one of them saying to all of us:
“Here in this Catholic Church,
here in this community of St. Al’s,
I have found God, I have encountered the Lord!
Here in the body of the Church,
I have come in touch with the Body of Christ.”
Like modern apostles
we gathered around these new friends of ours
as they spoke the message of St. Thomas the Apostle:
“My Lord and my God!”
What an astonishing statement:
“Here, at our fingertips…our Lord and God!”
________________
Easter is a time to reassess our relationship
with the Risen Christ…our Lord, our God,
present with us…at our fingertips.
It’s a necessary thing to do.
When we are in relationship with someone,
no matter who it is,
we need to remind ourselves
of who the other person is
and why we love him or her.
One of my favorite Catholic authors,
Amy Wellborn,
compares this to the Catholic habit of reciting
those ancient statements of faith called Creeds:
the Apostles’ Creed when we pray the rosary,
the Nicene Creed when we gather for Mass.
No matter whom we love, she says,
we occasionally need to remind ourselves
of who that other person truly is.
She illustrates her point by talking about a mother
who, at night, goes into a difficult child’s bedroom
and watches him as he sleeps,
letting his calm, peaceful expression
remind her of his essential goodness and potential.
A similar exercise is needed
when we grow angry at an adult friend or a spouse.
We consciously need to step back and remind ourselves
of who that person really is.
_________
Today, the words of St. Thomas
serve to remind us of who Christ really is.
Why is this be necessary?
It’s necessary because there are a lot of misconceptions
floating around
about who Christ truly is and where he is truly found.
If you ask me, one of the most harmful “heresies”
afloat today is the notion that
“spirituality” is as solid as religion.
How often don’t you hear people say,
“Well, I’m a spiritual person, but I don’t go to church.”
Or
“I’m spiritual, but organized religion doesn’t ‘do it’ for me.”
Well, they have a point.
Organize religion is a hassle.
But so is going to school.
And so is living within a family.
Yet these “hassles” are necessary for a fulfilling life.
So, yes, belonging to the Church is a hassle.
St. Thomas, in fact, would be the first to agree.
The proof is right there in today’s gospel passage.
Did you notice that, in the days immediately after Easter,
Thomas became the first dissenter in the Church?
That’s right!
He didn’t believe a thing that Peter or Mary Magdalene
or John or anyone else had to say about the Resurrection.
“I don’t believe it!” he said.
“And nobody in “the Church”
is going to make me believe in something
I don’t want to believe in!”
Fortunately, Thomas didn’t pack his bags and leave.
And fortunately, the Church, like a mother looking upon a difficult son,
was understanding enough not to kick him out.
This is fortunate because, as Thomas would soon find out,
the heart of the Christian faith
isn’t about coming in touch with your feelings,
it’s about coming in touch with the Risen Lord,
the reality of the Risen Lord
who lives at the center of the community of believers,
just like ours here at St. Al’s.
This is true spirituality at work:
a spirituality in touch…
not with vague, hazy “feelings”
that dwell somewhere inside of you,
but a spirituality in touch with
something absolutely, astonishingly real
that exists outside of you…
the reality of the Risen Christ.
_______________
St. Thomas’ statement of faith,
his creed, is also our creed:
“My Lord and my God.”
The Body of Christ…here, at our fingertips.
The Blood of Christ…here, in the chalice upon this altar.
The real presence of Christ set within the reality of life.
The presence of Christ…
inside that the difficult boy at whose doorway you stand at half-past midnight.
The presence of Christ…
in the spouse to whom you have pledged your love and support
in good times and in bad.
The reality of Christ…
in the face of the stranger with whom you pray the Mass,
in the elderly neighbor who lives down the street,
in this world of ours reaching out for peace,
in this world of our grasping for redemption.
“My Lord and my God!”
Here in this Church called Catholic.
Here in this parish called St. Al’s.
Here, in the holy sacraments we touch.
Here, as nowhere else, the tangible presence of Christ,
the touchable reality of the one, true God.
[First Draft]
“My Lord and my God.”
That’s what Thomas said
a few seconds after having placed his hand
into the gash in Jesus’ side,
right after having traced the scars on Jesus’ hands.
“My Lord and my God.”
As most of you know,
at the Easter Vigil here at St. Al’s,
we witnessed eighteen people
professing their belief in Christ.
Each one of them saying, as it were,
“Here in this Catholic Church,
here in this community of St. Al’s,
I have found God,
I have encountered the Lord.
Here in the body of the Church,
I have come in touch with the Body of Christ.”
Like modern apostles
we gathered around these friends of ours
as they themselves spoke the amazing message
of St. Thomas the Apostle:
“My Lord and my God.”
“Here, at my fingertips!
My Lord and my God!”
________________
Every now and then,
when we are in relationship with someone…
no matter who it is,
we need to remind ourselves
of who the other person is
and why we love him or her.
One of my favorite Catholic authors,
Amy Wellborn,
takes about this when she describes
the importance of reciting
the Apostles’ Creed when we pray the rosary
or the Nicene Creed when we gather at Sunday Mass.
No matter who we love, she says,
we occasionally need to remind ourselves
of who that other person truly is.
She illustrates her point
by talking about a mother
who, at night, goes into a difficult child’s bedroom
and watches him as he sleeps,
letting his calm, peaceful expression
remind her of his essential goodness and potential.
A similar exercise is needed
when we grow angry at an adult friend or a spouse.
We consciously need to remind ourselves
of who that person really is.
_________
Today, the words of St. Thomas
serve to remind us of who Christ really is.
Why might this be necessary?
It’s necessary
because there are a lot of misconceptions
of who Christ truly is
and where he is truly found.
If you ask me, one of the most harmful heresies
afloat today is the popular notion that
spirituality is as solid as religion.
How often don’t you hear people say,
“Well, I’m a spiritual person, but I don’t go to church.”
Or
“I’m spiritual, but organized religion doesn’t ‘do it’ for me.”
Well, organize religion is a hassle.
And St. Thomas would be the first to agree with you.
Did you notice, for instance,
that, in the days after Easter,
Thomas is the first dissenter in the Church?
He didn’t believe a thing that Peter or Mary Magdelene
or John or anyone else had to say about the Resurrection.
“I don’t believe it!” he said.
“And nobody in this here “church”
is going to make me believe in something
I don’t want to believe in!”
Fortunately, Thomas didn’t pack his bags and leave.
And fortunately, the Church was understanding enough not to kick him out.
Because, as Thomas would soon find out,
the heart of the Christian faith
isn’t about coming in touch with your feelings,
it’s about coming in touch with the Risen Lord,
the reality of the Risen Lord
who lives at the center of the community of believers.
This is true spirituality at work:
a spirituality in touch with something absolutely, astonishingly real.
“My Lord and my God.”
The Body of Christ.
Here, at our fingertips.
The Blood of Christ.
Here, in the chalice upon our altar.
The Presence of Christ.
Here, inside that the difficult boy at whose doorway you stand at half-past midnight.
Here, in the spouse to whom you have pledged your love and support.
Here, in the face of the stranger with whom you pray the Mass.
Here, in the elderly neighbor who lives alone.
Here, in this world of ours reaching out for peace.
Here, in the world straining for love.
Here in this Church called Catholic.
Here in this parish called St. Al’s.
Here, in the holy sacraments we touch.
Here, as nowhere else, the tangible presence of the one, true God.
posted by BlueCollarPreacher at 9:39 PM
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