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APRIL 25
HOLY, NOT PERFECT
“…A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with
them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them
and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here
and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt
but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to
him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who
have not seen and yet have come to believe.’” (Jn 20: 26-29)
In this passage the risen Lord grants the “doubting” Thomas what the
disciple has demanded, to physically touch His wounds, in order to
believe. But Christ does not praise Thomas for his need to see and touch,
of which He evidently disapproves. “Blessed are those,” the Lord remarks
pointedly, “who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Thus Christ comes to His followers despite their imperfections; despite
the “shut doors” – the doors we may have shut out of fear or doubt or
something else. He comes to us not because we are perfect, but because
we are His. All His disciples are “not of the world,” and “sanctified” or
“consecrated,” (Jn 17: 16-19), as we all are in baptism. This means that
we belong to Him. “Sanctus” or “holy” means “set apart for God,” or
“belonging to God.” It means not that we are perfect (because only God is
perfect), but that we are dedicated to Him, to His purpose.
Today I am gratefully reminded that our own imperfections are no
obstacle to our Lord, who comes to us despite our “shut doors,” and
“consecrates” us in His truth, not our own. “As you did send Me into the
world,” He prays to the Father, “so I have sent them into the world. And
for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be consecrated in
truth.” (Jn 17: 18-19)
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