There has always been a lot of interest in Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of the “The Last Supper” but recently even more interest has been brought on by the mystery novel, “The Da Vinci Code.” The novel has many conspiracy theories about the characters in Da Vinci’s famous fresco in Milan. But one genuine mystery concerns Thomas the Apostle, whose identity was obscured by layers of paint. For centuries “The Last Supper” had to be patched up from deterioration. But a recent restoration uncovered something fascinating. For years, it appeared as if Thomas was pointing upward....the transcendent - not surprising. But when the paint was scraped away, Thomas was holding up two fingers. There were two fingers for Didymus, the Twin. Maybe his name tells us something - perhaps Thomas was not only a twin but was of two minds, so to speak. Or he was divided, unsure about the truth of Jesus’ resurrection.

After the events that Jesus’ followers went through when he was captured and killed, who could blame Thomas for his response to the excited reports of the others? They must have sounded hysterical to him. The story that Jesus was alive and appeared to them pushes credibility to the extreme. Aren’t we happy that Thomas was there to be the doubter, the one wanting proof positive of Jesus’ resurrection? If everyone believed and accepted the news right away we would have some very serious reservations. No one is saying that Jesus’ resurrection is easy to believe, even with Thomas’ questions. But still, I am glad there was a Thomas back then, because there certainly is a Thomas in me who periodically asks questions that challenge my faith. The Thomas that is within me and maybe within all of us asks: if I believe in the resurrection, how come my life does not reflect that faith better? Why am I still afraid and lacking trust? Why do I not invest more of myself in living my faith? Why are my efforts for God so half-hearted at times? Why am I afraid to take risks? Thomas the doubter is very much alive in most of us.

One comforting part of this gospel is that Thomas, the doubter, is not cast out by the early community because of his lack of faith. The first disciples do not say, “Well, if you don’t believe us, you can have no part with us! Get out!” A week after Thomas expresses his doubts, he is still found in the community. We all need to be tolerant and patient with those who pose objections to our faith - we need to be patient even with members of our own families. Not only was the community tolerant of Thomas, so was Jesus. When Thomas does meet the Lord, Jesus does not reprimand him. In fact, the first words Jesus says to them is “Peace be with you.” And then to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands and bring your hand and put it in my side.” “My Lord and my God.”

After Thomas’ profession of faith, the gospel is addressed to those of us who will not get to have the sight, sound and touch that Thomas did. We are the ones Jesus calls, “Blessed,” we are “those who have not seen and have believed.” We have put our trust in the words we have heard from other believers. Our faith is founded in those who witnessed to the resurrection through their words and deeds. There living testimony is powerful. But still, there is an argument for the importance of meeting the Risen Christ ourselves. Some people have an intense experience of Christ. I’m reading a recent biography of the American mystic and spiritual guide, Thomas Merton who after years of loose living had a profound experience of Jesus’ presence as he knelt and prayed in a church in Rome. Our experiences of the Risen Christ are not always dramatic but aren’t there times when we have risen to new life after a death experience? A woman told me about the death of her husband who died a few years ago. They were married for 40 years and she said, “When he died, I died.” Yet, in this past year she has begun anew, going out more, developing new friends - beginning to live again. Others have felt the Lord’s healing presence in prayer, when gathered with believers or perhaps we were at the bedside of a dying person who, despite sadness and pain, still had peace and trust. Experiences of the Risen Christ come in many and varied ways.

The gospel today began by telling us it is “the first day of the week.” The gospel writers are usually not specific about days and times. They are making a point here. “The first day of the week” is telling us that something brand new is happening - the days are starting fresh - humanity has a new beginning. It is like saying: our God who created the first day, is now creating a new first day. The resurrection makes all things new - we have new possibilities, with a future full of hope. A new light has pierced the darkness - it is the first day of the week. So we ask ourselves: what of the past do we want to put behind us? Where would we like a new beginning? How have we stayed in the tomb and decided nothing can change? Whom have we concluded is a lost cause? With Christ all things are possible and today is “the first day.”