Scripture:
Acts 5:12-16
Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
John 20:19-31
Reflection:
Jesus said to him, (Thomas) “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
For the past nine months I have had the privilege to accompany our RCIA neophytes on the path to the Easter sacraments we celebrated last Saturday evening. Wow! What a gift it has been!
We all have ‘Thomas’ days when we believe little and lament a lot. We live in a culture where ‘seeing is believing’ and nothing else will do. One of the greatest gifts in ministry over the years has been to walk the journey with others in the RCIA process. Whenever my faith was lagging, it got a boost every RCIA Thursday when we gathered to learn, share, question and challenge. It was life-changing for all of us on team and in the parish to watch them grow in faith right before our very eyes! There is a common adage, ‘there are no atheists in foxholes’. Well, I’m here to tell you, there aren’t any non-believers in an RCIA community either!
Neophytes may also have their ‘Thomas’ days during this long process, but they are committed for the long haul. I am sure they were anxious about what the process asks of them, but their tenacity and belief in their call kept all of us on our toes and renewed our FAITH on a regular basis!
Holy Mother Church in her humanness is a mess at times, but celebrating the Easter sacraments with these eight special people has given us a renewed sense of hope that in spite of the messiness, we will be okay. We continue to be nurtured by the faith of our newly baptized and professed and give thanks for their giftedness to us and the entire Church. Happy Easter Season and remember:
JESUS is ALIVE!!!!!ALLEULUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA
Theresa Secord is a Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.