16 Apr SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2023

How to unlearn the fear of being left out or fooled. How to transition from one role or perspective to another based on new information or a change in status. Face the unknown by asking questions in the company of friends.There are many benefits to expressing how you feel within the presence of a non-judgmental community. How to embrace the truth of how humans react.

Right at the very start, Jesus enters through doors bolted shut due to fear to deliver peace. He immediately offers proof to counteract doubt. At his first opportunity to display resurrection power, Jesus chooses to overpower fear and doubt among his disciples. Pastor Brody is not the only one bent on psychological healing for the sake of close relationships and the larger community. Jesus prioritizes emotional well-being knowing that people cannot hear or accept new knowledge while worried about their safety or whether they can trust what they see.

This gospel scenario perfectly demonstrates ways of thinking: as an individual like Thomas, and collectively as a group, like the rest. Again, we are given permission to be ourselves. Thomas had his own way of thinking. His thoughts all along had shown development. He not only thought of himself, but what was at stake overall. Earlier, Thomas had tried to inspire fellow disciples to join Jesus in Jerusalem even if doing so meant they all died after Jesus’ own death was implied there.

As soon as disciples are relieved of fear and doubt they are empowered by Jesus’ peace and his ability to forgive sin. Power is given for the sake of peace and forgiveness. Peace within and among each other, forgiveness between any persons who sin against each other. These two things are fundamental for Jesus’ disciples. Before they can go out into the world and do any other good for Jesus’ sake, they must experience peace within and among themselves, and forgive those closest to them. 

Imagine Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit upon you. Hear him say, “Receive my Spirit, the same Spirit that lifted me up from the grave. The same Holy Spirit that delivered life to you when you took your first breath. Breathe in and receive peace and the ability to forgive sin, as you have been given and forgiven.” 

Thomas demonstrates the importance of thinking for yourself and not just adapting to group think. The validity of what others told him carried only so much weight. More evidence than personal testimony was called for in his case because his fear was being fooled. He had to unlearn the need to validate things himself and draw his own conclusions. He needed to learn to trust  fellow disciples entirely. 

Again, we find ourselves aptly represented among the group of disciples. Some days we are fearful; some days we’ve overcome. Some days we demand evidence; some days we take people at their word. Regardless of our fluctuating stances, Jesus appears at the center of conflict, uncertainty, doubt, or fear. He’s the core of our confidence, the source of peace and power.

As time goes by, figuratively speaking, the disciples no longer have their doors locked, but they still remain closed. No matter, Jesus comes and stands right in the middle of the assembly. Once again, he delivers peace and relieves doubt. Why? So everyone in the room will believe.

It’s not enough to feel the absence of fear and doubt. We must believe.

It’s not enough to feel the absence of fear and doubt. We must believe. Coming to believe is a process, not an instantaneous state. Coming to believe happens through repeat exposure, different scenarios, in the company of various friends and family members. The goal of coming to believe is how we develop thoughts that can then be defined to others and shared with them. That way, the entire community grows in both knowledge and faith.

Not all the signs that Jesus did are written in this book. But every sign Jesus does has one purpose: so we may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah and through believing have life. Life is so much more than just being present. It must involve growth by adapting to changing circumstances. It involves unlearning the fear of being left out or fooled. 

It involves transitioning from one role or perspective to another, hearing, accepting, receiving new information or a change in status because you know Jesus is present. He is breathing on you, awakening the Holy Spirit within, able to empower you with peace and forgiveness. With the very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, we can face the unknown and ask questions in the company of friends, reveal our insecurities and experience the presence of a non-judgmental community. By learning how to embrace the truth of human reactivity, we can respond differently.

As the Father sends his son, Jesus sends us, his disciples, to deliver peace, forgive, and empower others to live. We do that by helping them to unlearn fear, face the unknown, and help them ask questions so they too can discover their needs, understand how they think, and express themselves. 

I’m a strong believer and do have faith. However, like Thomas, “f” and “d” often follow me around like two initials following my surname. The Rev. Nancy K. Brody, F.D. When I reach out with hope, I expect disappointment. I fear that what holds meaning for me, isn’t true for those I care about. Compared to others, something about me or my life comes up short. 

Excited by the possibility of things like an extended or overnight visit from adult children, I prepare myself with both anticipation and dread. For a whole year, I’ve tried to entice them to join us at Hershey Park, a Senator’s game, the Harrisburg Symphony and the like. Upon mention of them coming up and bridging a planned social event with friends  to a visit with us, like Thomas, I told myself that I’d better not believe based on what’s been said. 

I hoped it was true. I wanted it to be so, but my default mode was to only believe once I’d seen the thing happen for myself.” Thanks be to God, they’re coming. Thanks be to God, nothing’s wrong. It’s true. Just because I was absent when everyone else gathered, I wasn’t excluded. I wanted to experience for myself what others spoke of. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, Jesus is more than willing to accommodate. He only wishes we’d have known the truth without proof. We are loved. We belong. We are invited to live fully, to invite and empower others to do the same. Who will you reassure today? Reassure yourself first by knowing that the resurrected Christ, the anointed Son of God, still breathes upon you. Reawaken the Holy Spirit within you. Receive forgiveness and pass it on. Know that Jesus understands how you think and what causes you to either put yourself out there or withdraw. By putting himself out there in the ultimate way, he’s empowered us with confidence.

Who will you reassure today?

We need never withdraw hope or withhold love because Jesus lives to grow us as individuals and to strengthen us as believers. Increase your capacity to think or to allow others to express what they think. Respond, if necessary, without being judgmental. Thomas may have been perceived as a doubter, when in fact, he was just an independent thinker. 

Finally, remember that although independence grants freedom, freedom is really a gift dependent upon the generosity of others. Generosity is similar to grace. Both are freely given for the sake of another, their cost incurred by the giver. Acceptance of the gift transmits a debt of gratitude and an obligation to live life differently. The take home lesson of today’s gospel reading is: By virtue of another’s deed and sacrifice, we are to live the Christian way of life: a thoughtful life where we come to believe, practice forgiveness and trust, accept peace and power, break through fear and doubt to instill faith and life in Jesus’ name. 

Being a Christian isn’t only about what you believe. If being a Christian doesn’t make you a better person, a person more capable of love and understanding, then the designation doesn’t represent Christ. Last week, when I asked the confirmands what being a Christian looks like in their context, they mostly talked about it this way. 

They cited examples of student behavior causing emotional or bodily harm. They spoke of the importance of standing up for what is right, defending friends, and fighting against what is wrong. They had strong feelings regarding how people treat each other. They often spoke up and were willing to intervene. 

They are good disciples. Motivated by a desire to follow Christ’s example, they observe, and evaluate life around them. They are willing to follow instruction, but have learned when to act independently, as well. Willingly they intervene to change things for the better, building up good or interrupting bad. May we join them in their efforts to represent Christ among peers. Let us pray. 

Lord, thank you for making us unique individuals, one body of faith and family. Thank you for allowing us to be ourselves, for supporting our curiosity, working with our personalities, accepting our shortcomings, and forgiving our sins. May we inhale the breath of your lungs that enlivens the Holy Spirit within us. Your peace and power are all we need to believe and live. Help us understand and generously bless others with life-giving opportunities. In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.