None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them.
Chrystus Zmartwychwstał
Prawdziwie zmartwychwstał!
Christ is risen
Truly He is risen! Alleluia
You would think that a clergyman preparing a homily for this Sunday would have an easy job. We all connect with Thomas. Doubt —“ a very real thing for all of humanity.
We doubt our lovers, friends, clergy, and fellow parishioners. We doubt the weatherman, the government, God’s existence, heaven.
Thank God for Thomas —“ he makes sermonizing easy.
So why lead off with fear?
Listen again:
None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them.
The Apostles were standing at Solomon’s portico.
Now close your eyes and picture the Temple. Solomon’s portico was a covered colonnade at the Eastern part of the temple in Jerusalem. It was an open place, a sort of porch, like you would see on an old Victorian Mansion.
The people, both Jews and gentiles, gathered together on this covered porch to experience spiritual conversation.
There they are, the Apostles, the original eleven and Matthias who was elected to replace Judas. There they were, among the people, right under the noses of the Pharisees, the Sanhedrin, the Council, and the Chief Priest.
There they were, talking about Jesus, healing in His name.
None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them.
Now Solomon was King David’s son, the second king of Israel, the builder of the original temple. He was the man after whom the portico was named, and in essence his name means “Peace”.
As such the portico was really named the Peace portico. It was a place for people to come and experience God’s peace.
Standing in the Peace portico:
None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them.
How remarkable and how strange; in a place of peace, speaking the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and people were gripped with fear.
That, my friends, was Thomas’ problem. Fear!
My brothers and sisters,
Whenever we hear of remarkable and heroic deeds we are both amazed and gripped with fear.
Would I have the courage to do that, to give up a kidney, to jump on a live grenade, to rush into a burning building, to stand up to anyone who would speak ill or disrespectfully of another?
Would I be able to stand up to the ridicule of declaring absolute faith in Jesus Christ and my membership in His Church?
Anyway, thank God that person had the courage…
None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them.
The heroes, the courageous, the martyrs, the peacemakers, the confessors —“ had what it took to be more than admirers, people holding others in esteem. By the grace of God they dared to follow the Apostles example. They joined them.
Brethren,
People are searching for meaning. Perhaps they visited our church once or twice. Perhaps they were faithful members somewhere and something happened which caused them to leave that church.
All of us, and these seekers, really want the food that will not leave us hungry and the drink that will not leave us thirsty. We all seek that which will satisfy, but do not know where to look anymore.
Let’s admit it – the church can be the most political institution in the world! We don’t like to admit it, but it is true. None of us are hungry for more politics. No one is looking for more expertise. We are not seeking something to do with our spare time. Most of us have none!
What all are doing is seeking the face of God. Jesus, Who is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Eternal Salvation.
Let us have the courage to welcome all. Let us have the courage to set our fears aside and to cry out together, along with Thomas: —My Lord and my God!— Lord, grant us the courage to stand on the Peace portico with Peter, Andrew, James and John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James, Matthew, Simon, Jude, and Matthias.
Do not be afraid. Jesus is here and He is ready to do for you what He did for John:
He touched me with his right hand and said, —Do not be afraid.
I am the first and the last, the one who lives.
Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever.
Amen. Alleluia.