I Am Out There

Deacon Pierce Homily 10:30 Mass

Today is the Sunday of Divine Mercy.  All of us cry out for God’s mercy and deliverance from the coronavirus that has paralyzed our nation and economy and, most important, has caused 100,000’s of infections and 10’s of thousands of deaths in the US.  Some of us may have lost friends or relatives. There are many very sad stories of job loss, sickness, and death, but even more tales of courage by health care workers, emergency personnel, first-responders, and those who clean and disinfect – just to name a few. God, bless them and have mercy on them all.

We’re still social distancing, and our church is empty. But we know many are looking on and listening in to hear the Word of God, to pray, and to hope for an end to the health and economic rampage of this virus we call COVID-19.

Ironically, this abbreviation spells out Christ Our Victor In Death. That’s what happened at Easter.  We wait and hope for the world’s resurrection from weeks and months of hardship and despair. We hope for victory that eventually will come – that our efforts to contain the virus’ spread will be successful sooner rather than later. We wait for our nation and the world to recover, become stronger, and be far better prepare from the next pandemic that will happen sooner or later – hopefully, we pray, much, much later.

Our first reading clashes with what we’ve had to deal with these past few months and even now – isolation from many family members, friends, and co-workers, from just about everyone.  It reads: “Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” However, for us, there have been no meetings and although many infected have been saved – many have not.  Much of this tragedy occurred during Lent and throughout Holy Week.  In fact, throughout the entire Easter season.  The Stations of the Cross took on additional meaning for all of us.

One consequence has been that many families have strengthened their bond by breaking bread in their homes, by being together, talking to each other, and we hope praying together. This is the way we used to behave before families dispersed to the four winds after a few minutes eating at the table or in separate rooms.  Then off to parts unknown.

This widespread and deadly infection might have caused many people to wonder: where is God in all of this?  We are to praise God and give God our favor, according to the first reading. Do we feel like giving praise and showing favor? We just sang, “We give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.” Was our singing heartfelt?

Let’s face it.  Our faith is being tested.  So, today’s Gospel is timed just right.  We’re ready to hear it.  We need to hear it.

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Jesus then said to him, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” 

None of us have seen, but we still believe, even when we have legitimate doubt like Thomas. Jesus understands our doubts and extends his wounded hands to us as he did to Thomas. And what is our response supposed to be?  We are to extend our hands to touch the wounds of those around us – in our homes, church, and community.

These are wounds caused by sickness and disease, racial injustice, sexual abuse, ageing, poverty, and hardships such as loss of jobs and hunger.  We are to continue to reach out to those in need of care and support, especially during these very difficult and scary times. There’s no doubt about the need for that mercy some of which is provided through our Matthew 25 Fund.  Thanks to all who have contributed and still do.

I end with this story especially relevant to all of you watching through live-stream.

There was once a woman who was religious and devout and filled with love for God.  Each morning she would go to Church.  And on her way, children would call out to her, beggars would accost her, but so immersed was she in her devotions that she did not even see them.

Now one day she walked down the street in her customary manner and arrived at the church just in in time for Mass.  She pushed the door, but it would not open.  She pushed it again but harder, and found the door was locked.

Distressed at the thought that she would miss Mass for the first time in years, and not knowing what to do, she looked up.  And, there, right before her face, she found a note pinned on the door.

It said, “I’m out there!”

So, don’t be too distressed that you are not here in this church today on this second Sunday of Easter. You are not alone. You’re out there with the LORD who is good and whose love is everlasting.

Deacon David Pierce