Every 3 Years (2024-04-07, Easter 2nd Sunday)

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 Homily, 2^nd Sunday Easter (year B) ●●  2024 April 7  ●● Acts 4:32-35 ● ● 1 John 5:1-6 ● ●John 20:19-31 ● ●

Title: Every 3 Years.

[__01__]    How long is long enough to wait for “success”?

          I bring this up because all of us – in some way shape or form – are success oriented and goal oriented.

          And, we see others who are also driven by success.

          In the world of sports, there was a study done to show that sports teams will only wait 3 years for success, for a winning result.

          3 years or 36 months. This is the average tenure or duration of a professional sports coach in - say -basketball or baseball.

          There is a statistical study that shows that a professional sports team change its coach – meaning they let the current coach go and hire a new one – every 3 years. This 3-year cycle of “firing and hiring” is driven by the insatiable desire for success and championships.

          In other words, if the university or school does not get its desired results – within 3 years – the coach may be shown the door.

          I think this also brings up a question: if the coach’s job is on the line after 3 years, does this mean that the full responsibility rests on the coach and that the players do not really matter, that they are just there to “follow the rules” or “do as they are told”?

[__02__]   On some level, does this mirror how we might read the Gospel?

In the Gospel, we see Jesus as the unparalleled leader, with his disciples sometimes seen as mere followers, perhaps even foolish ones. Jesus has also had a 3 year “plan” a 3 year “term”, at the end of which there is the Passion of our Savior and his Resurrection. We see disciples who faltered, even betraying and deserting Jesus in his hour of need. Judas, Peter, and the others—all seemed to fail when tested, leaving Jesus seemingly defeated after 3 years of leadership. Time for a change? It's as if the disciples were poised to seek a new teacher, a fresh direction, or even find another team to play for, success elsewhere.

 

[__04__]  It is important to note that our Savior – as teacher and leader – could have been justifiably disappointed in his “players” does not begin by berating them or chewing them out for having denied and taking the escape parachute out of Jerusalem.

          Rather, in the Gospel today, we read that when Jesus came and stood in their midst, he does not blow a whistle or shout orders but simply says, “Peace be with you.”

[__05__]  And, in this regard, our Savior is giving a model of benevolent leadership not just to make his followers “feel good” but also to transfer to them, to delegate to them the ministry of the forgiveness of sins in sacramental confession.

          It is quite a statement of hope and promise that Jesus should entrust the forgiveness of sins to his disciples by whom he had been disbelieved and abandoned.

          This is not just a 3 year plan but a plan for their and our eternal salvation.

          But, the predicament of the disciples is similar to any number of others – and ourselves.  We might think that Jesus should not trust us.

Does not Jesus show that he is willing to trust you and me? Yes, He is and says so:   “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)

          Jesus is ready to trust us because he came not to you and me in our righteousness but in our sinfulness.

[__06__]  So, Jesus comes to call sinners – that includes you and me – to spread the word about God’s mercy.

[__07__]  What should we expect when things go wrong, when we sin due to our own human weakness or outright willful action, when things do not go according to the plan?

          Here is an example of the “weakness” case and what I might have expected.

          Several years ago, my mother was preparing for back surgery to correct a painful condition and vertebrae and improve her walking. There were preparatory steps leading to the surgery. Collectively, my brother and father and I had to make sure certain things were done medically to prepare her. There was one particular detail that I would have preferred the hospital to administer, but it was left to us. And, I did the opposite of what I was supposed to do.    Afterwards, my mother was fine, but I realized that in my hastiness and weakness, but I had not done what was necessary and joked – in my mother would be suing us for malpractice. That would be justice, right!

          Of course, my mother did not hire a lawyer go against– our family - for malpractice, but I think she had a case!  But my mother recognized me as one of her own.

[__08__]  Doesn’t Jesus have a case against his disciples?

          They did not follow his plan but the Jesus returned to his disciples saying “Peace be with you.” ? Why?

Because he recognizes the disciples as his own.

          In this regard, Jesus is investing himself even more fully in his followers and in you and me, by giving himself to them totally in his Body and Blood. From the Resurrection and Ascension onward, Jesus is making himself equally available to all of us in the Body and Blood of the Eucharist.

          He is showing the disciples that they are forgiven so that they can forgive others.       

[__09__]  What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?

          On one level, the obvious implication of following Jesus is both to “get in line” and give up one’s previous occupation. Peter, James, John were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector. They change professions, work, job description.

          Being a follower of Jesus may mean such an outward change, but more importantly for all of us means an interior change of heart and conversion.

[__10__]   This is also the message to Thomas the Apostle in the Gospel today.

          Thomas is asked: “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?” (John ___)

          It would be unfair to single out or condemn Thomas for disbelief and doubt       due to his accidental absence in the first resurrection appearance. Also, nearly all the other disciples were also in disbelief. Would you have believed if you had been there? Would I have believed I had been there?

          I am weak. I would have wanted something in writing!

          Perhaps, we can praise Thomas for his relentless determination to learn the truth about the Resurrection.

          This Resurrection reunion is a reminder of why we come to church and confess our sins regularly and how this is meant to inform our lives. In other words, mercy is not s/t we get, but give…. The Church asks us to confess so at least once a year and to do so during these 50 days of Easter.

          We seek God’s mercy also so that we can grow in love, in charity towards those who trespass against us.  And, to forgive those against whom we feel justified in anger and revenge.

          The path of wishing harm on others is harmful and toxic to ourselves. There is another “escape route” and we need not wait 3 years – or every 3 years to take it.

          We are called to seek God’s mercy every day. Love for your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. This is the Gospel Good News.

          Blessed are you when you hear this. When you see this. Blessed are you who have not seen and believed. Our Savior is willing to wait for you. [__end__]