2nd Sunday of EASTER (ABC)

INTRO: “Where are your wounds” story.

A prominent man died; a man who lived the “good life”; solid, moral, and trustworthy, a faithful husband and loving father. He had worked hard; his work ethic and professionalism were beyond reproach. When he died, he went to heaven where Saint Peter greeted him at the gates.

When the man asked if he could enter, Peter pulled out a sheet of paper. It was the man’s resume of his many accomplishments. Peter nodded approvingly as he scanned the sheet, clearly impressed by what he saw – but, then a frown settled on the saint’s face……..

Peter said… “I am puzzled by one thing …… There is no mention of wounds here ….. WHERE ARE YOUR WOUNDS?”

The man asked… “What do you mean, MY WOUNDS?”

Peter explained….

“Back down on earth… There are so many things on earth that are just NOT RIGHT!”

We expect that you would be working on earth, fighting for any cause or concern of injustice that the struggling people around you were experiencing?

We expect that you had some pain and suffering along the way, not all easy.

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This is a beautiful reminder of reality about our lives here on earth. We should ask ourselves, on this Second Sunday of Easter,
• “where are my wounds, my nail marks”
• “What hurt do I feel over others’ injustices”
• “what burdens have I taken on for the sake of another”
• “what crosses have I borne”

In today’s Gospel Jesus appears. Jesus shows us his hands and side, the OBVIOUS WOUNDS he bore for all of humanity. He invites us to see how REAL THEY ARE. He invites an incredulous Thomas to believe that they are real wounds.

In many ways Jesus says to us:
To be wounded…to live life with wounds, pain and suffering! This is not just a morose thing or a pessimistic thing!

The life of a CHRISTIAN means “dying for another”

“There is no greater love than this, than to die for ones friends”

CONCLUSION

The CHURCH today needs the WOUNDED, those who will rally for social injustices of our times and accept pain and suffering as REDEMPTIVE.