Second Sunday of Easter 

Gospel – John 20:19-31

Faith and Family

Us

Decades ago, when Jaime was maybe 7 or 8 years old, I was having some stomach issues, bad enough to spend some time in the hospital to figure out what was going on.  Finally, one morning, with Jaime and Ginger in the room, the doctor comes rushing in to tell me in these overly blunt words – you have cancer, we will perform surgery today and start you on chemo treatments tomorrow! 

After I got over the initial shock, I basically had 2 reactions!  First, how dare you blurt out such a diagnosis with our little daughter in the room without even consulting us beforehand.  How disrespectful! How insensitive!  And secondly, my personal health, or lack thereof, was the last thing on my mind.  All that mattered to me was Ginger and Jaime and how all this would affect them! Some things never change!  Truth be told, after all that stress and worry, his diagnosis was completely wrong.  And yes, we moved on to a much more reliable physician!

Ginger and I have certainly had more than our share of challenges, medical and otherwise, over the past 12 months, and unfortunately, they are continuing!  But there is one constant through all the trials and tears, heartache and loss, fear for the future and fond memories of the past.  Jaime!!  She has been our rock, our guide and our ‘translator’ of medical jargon!  Her experience as an oncology nurse practitioner, her knowledge, her compassion, her bravery and dedication to her patients as she journeys with them during the most doubt-filled moments of their life!  Boy, talk about life for us going full circle!

Faith!  Belief!  Doubt! That’s what it’s all about and that’s what today’s Gospel is all about.   The disciples are in a locked room; they have been hiding ever since Jesus was crucified.  They are in fear that the authorities will look for them, arrest them and have them killed.  And so they hide.  Despite Mary Magdalene bringing them news from the tomb or the 2 disciples returning from Emmaus with their encounter with the Risen Jesus, they don’t believe!  Despite all that Jesus taught them – to go out into the world, teach, to preach the Good News – they hide behind locked doors.  Even Thomas, who apparently is brave enough to venture outside (probably for supplies), refuses to believe!  And Jesus’ response?  Peace!  Peace be with you! Do not be afraid!  Believe in Me!

We all have doubts, especially in times of sickness and loss!  We all wonder and question what’s going on.  Where is God in all of this? 

Maybe I can’t see God Himself right now but maybe I can see Him working through others in these difficult times. Maybe I can see Him in the angels He sends among us!  I see Him in the daughter who sits with us in the emergency room!  The daughter who offers her love and expertise as we face an unexpected illness and surgery!  A loving daughter who walks with us time after time in moments of crisis and fear! 

Just as He reminded the Apostles, Jesus reminds us – Be at peace!  Do not be afraid!  Believe in Me!  Know that I am with you!  God is not hidden; He is right here in front of us.  We only have to set aside our doubts and see with the eyes of faith.

 

Personal Update

This will be my last Daily Reflection for a while.  I will be having colon surgery tomorrow (prayers please) and will need some time to rest and recover.  Please know that this is just a ‘pause’, NOT a ‘stop’!  I invite you, in the meantime, to access my daily blog ( https://deaconbillfrere.blogspot.com/ )    and revisit my reflections from the past, particularly the two “ebooks” listed on the left side of the webpage – Waiting and Hoping Volume 1 and Still Waiting and Hoping Volume 2

I thank God for your continued support and prayers!  And Praise to the Lord for daughters like Jaime as she continues to support and care for us on this journey we call life!  Blessings to you all!