This is a powerfully charged spiritual season—these days post-Easter. Words fail, somehow. But the resurrection stories, filled with images and metaphors, transformation and mystery fly straight to the human heart. They do. And when we sit with the depth of conviction that rests at the foot of an empty cross, at the entrance of an empty tomb, and numerous encounters with the risen Christ, especially at meal-times we cannot help but be touched by this story of hope where in the words of Diana Butler-Bass, “Gratefulness banishes fear and thanksgiving replaces grief.” (RNS, religioinnnews.com/2018/04/11 Doubting-Thomas…) That’s what this story is about.
It is generally assumed that on the day of resurrection, the first day of the week, the disciples are back in the dining room of the house “where they had met” the Thursday before. It’s their safe house. What we know is that in times of fear and trauma, human beings want to be together—the relationship matters more than anything else. It’s really tense. There is comfort in huddling together around the table. Then, Jesus appears.
Ok, this is weird. What are we to make of this? Our modern minds more than likely go straight to science and reason. We try to explain. We try to wrap our heads around a transaction that seems more paranormal than anything. My invitation is to let that thinking go. Let it go. Because this narrative is trying to rouse a deeper knowing, a wider awareness, a sense of gratefulness and thanksgiving. The gospel of John is drawing our attention to something more compelling than the physicality of nail wounds or the mental state of fear. The gospel is signalling the real presence of the risen Christ. It is proclaiming peace. It is portraying the dawn of a new age emerging around the upper room table.