Reflecting on the Word

By Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.

Can one “fathom” a mystery? “Fathom” derives from an Old English word  meaning “outstretched arms;” eventually it referred to the length from fingertip  to fingertip of arms opened wide. As a verb, it means to probe or penetrate in  order to understand. Granting the impossibility of ever coming to fathom the  Resurrection fully, I like the image of trying to reach out and put my arms around  this great mystery—or, better yet, to have the risen Christ put his outstretched  arms around me, drawing me into it more fully. 

Which brings us to Thomas. He is the original person who tried to fathom the  risen Christ, insisting that if his friends in the upper room wanted him to believe  what he could only think of as nonsense, he needed to touch the wounds of the  risen Lord. Jesus didn’t seem to have much of a problem letting him. 

We never learn whether Thomas did touch Jesus or not, but every second  Sunday of Easter we are told this story about Thomas and the risen Lord. It  encourages us to fathom the mystery that is our faith, to learn to penetrate it by  confessing Jesus as Lord and God, then allow this belief to flow out into our daily  activities, reaching out to embrace others. 

Don’t you think when Thomas left the upper room that day he knew that the  Resurrection was not something to keep to himself? That his whole being was  filled with the warmth and light absorbed from being in the presence of the risen  Lord? Is it possible that this can happen to us? 

Consider/Discuss

  • Have you begun to fathom the mystery of the Resurrection?
  • What does it mean to say, “My Lord and my God” and make that your  daily prayer over the coming weeks? 

Responding to the Word

Father of the only-begotten Son, send your Spirit upon us that we might know  more deeply the truth of your Son’s resurrection and allow it to penetrate our  lives. Deepen our faith, hope, and love so the world will know us even now as  children of the Resurrection.

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