Here we are, a week after the events of the Passion – I find myself wishing they would have lasted a little longer. I love Holy Week – the emotional rollercoaster, the sense of sacredness of each day, and the explosion of colour and joy (and Hawaiian shirts!) of Easter Day. But now, it’s over. We’re back to the daily grind. Lent and Easter were a lovely break from the norm, a nice change of pace; but now, it’s time to get back to reality.

Sometimes, this flick back to reality comes from so many angles and catches us unawares. For some, reality swoops in with unemployment or illness. For others it sneaks in by glancing at photos of happy memories in the seemingly distant past. For others, reality confronts as they leave the joyous Easter worship celebration and return home, only to look across a tense dining table, absent of joy, and realise that their family look nothing like the happy-snap they try to envision for themselves most of the year. Confrontation with reality can be hard.

The apostle Thomas is first and foremost a realist and pragmatist; we see this in John 11 and 14. When we see Thomas in this light, his reaction to the news of the risen Christ is hardly surprising. Thomas had been hardened and tempered by his experience in the world. And for Thomas, reality had come as never before just days earlier, when his Master and Friend had been crucified, and he realised that the hopes and expectations of the last three years were as dead as his beloved Lord. No wonder then, when his friends share their joyous news, he reacts sceptically, and demands proof.

Thomas the realist encounters an instant change in reality, when confronted by the risen Lord and the forgiveness and grace embodied in His words: “Peace be with you.” At that moment, in a heartbeat, Thomas believes, and makes the great confession of John’s gospel: “My Lord and my God!”

In Thomas’ encounter with the Risen Christ, his doubt is swept away – but not his realism. Thomas’ confession is just as much a part of his pragmatism, his ability to deal with reality, as was his demand for proof. For it is not Thomas’ realism that has been changed, you see, but reality itself. When he is confronted by God’s grace in the Risen Christ, Thomas is confronted by a whole new reality.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! And nothing will ever be the same again. This is our new reality.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Our Lord and our God,
though we have hidden ourselves in a locked room
and huddled together as ones who build barriers,
send your Living Word through our locked doors
and into our guarded hearts
that we might be witnesses of your grace
and couriers of your goodness.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
grant us the trust to believe the Gospel
not because we see it
but because we have been seen by it
and transformed through it. Amen.