The piece below appears in today's Irish Times.
Michael Commane.
Easter is the defining moment in the Christian calendar. It is that time of year when Christians celebrate their belief in the risen Lord, their belief that life does not end at the grave. And this year it so happens that both western and Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter on the same day.
Tomorrow’s readings are a powerful mission statement about what it means being a Christian and that includes our doubts and worries and fears.
In the Gospel (John 20: 19 – 31) we see how the disciples had locked the doors behind them. They were afraid of the Jews. And into that atmosphere of fear and foreboding Jesus arrives and greets them saying: “peace be with you”. They were as close as one gets to Jesus and yet Thomas had his doubts.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2: 42 – 47) we read how the community was faithful to the teaching of the apostles. They shared their goods, broke bread together and also prayed together.
And in the second reading from the First Letter of St Peter (1: 3 – 9) the community is advised to praise God because of the great mercy he has shown. “In raising Jesus from the dead he has given us new life and a living hope.”
Last week, on one of those first sunny days of spring just as I approached my locked bicycle I saw a young chap, between the age of 17 and mid-20s, bent down in front of my bike and then walking away with the front wheel. It was a “quick release” wheel. I followed him and politely suggested that that might be the wheel of my bicycle. He said some words under his breath, left the wheel on the ground and walked off.
I was surprised by my own reaction. I can be hot-headed and irascible but for reasons unknown to me I decided I was going to be polite and gentle with this man. Maybe it was that I was afraid but for whatever reasons, the man listened to me. He did not get abusive or angry, nor did he throw the wheel at me or on the ground. Indeed, he put it down in a remarkably gentle manner.
What makes a young man on a sunny day in Dublin steal the front wheel of a bicycle? Most likely it was an attempt to feed his drug habit. Has that man ever experienced anything of the peace that Jesus offers his disciples in that locked room? Has he ever felt that he shares in the goods of the community as is suggested in the Acts of the Apostles and has he ever seen or being allowed see anything of the mercy of God?
And really, isn’t that what the mystery of Easter is all about; peace and mercy and the willingness and ability of all of us to make sure that everyone feels part of the community. It is the belief that every single person is a daughter or son of God, who is destined to share in full communion in some way or other after the grave, a process that has already begun in the world in which we live.
Yes, any attempt at understanding or trying to get to grips with the idea of a life after death is not easy. But there is nothing esoteric or mystery-filled about showing mercy and kindness to people. There is nothing beyond understanding in helping bringing about a peaceful society.
Maybe when we live out the message of Jesus in our daily lives, something of the understanding of the mystery of Easter will dawn on us. As long as there are women and men left on the margins, feeling alienated and unloved, not sharing in the general good of society, then we need to be very careful in how we talk about sharing the joy of Easter.
Talking about the resurrection of Jesus is hocus-pocus if we consider it the prerogative of an exclusive club.
St Peter tells us: “In raising Jesus from the dead he has given us new life and a living hope.” (1 Peter 1:3)
All of us have been given new life.
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