EXPLORING THE BIBLE

The last words Jesus spoke before he was lifted up into the clouds (Acts 1:9) included a call to mission: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” There was no time for Jesus’ disciples to stand gazing into the sky. They had work to do. So do we. And we have the Holy Spirit to help us, as Jesus promised.

He claimed that people were desperately seeking some kind of meaning or transcendence in all kinds of places, and that the challenge for the church was not to try to interest people in spiritual things, but rather to show why what we have to offer is better than anything else in the massive smorgasbord of spiritual options available.

In this week’s gospel reading, Jesus promises his disciples (and us!) a place to belong: ‘In my father’s house there are many dwelling-places… and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.’

“…..What may be missing, too often, is not the teaching and learning, the fellowship, communion, or prayer: it may be the awe. The ‘wonders and signs’ may be passing us by, without our taking notice.”

Some disciples meet a stranger on the road out of Jerusalem heading towards Emmaus. He teaches them and they are warmed by the beauty of his teaching.

Thomas lives and breathes in all of us. We want concrete proof and we are unwilling to be gullible when people tell us fantastic tales.