THE FAITHFUL ALL LIVED TOGETHER

II EASTER SUNDAY - Acts 2:42-47 and John 20:19-31

Even though it may seem absurd, this time of isolation, due to coronavirus, is helping everyone to discover how much we need each other to have a meaningful life. Human beings are social and they need a community to thrive. We are not supposed to live in isolation, side by side, but in communion cooperating with each other. We are interdependent and, therefore, we either fall together or rise and survive together. Pope Francis said that all of us are sailing in the same boat.

Since the very beginning, the Christians realised that their faith in Jesus Christ has to be lived in relationship with other believers. All the baptised in Christ form with him one body, in such a way that “we are members one of another” (Eph 4:25). 

The Acts of the Apostles stresses the importance of the community and, in a summary, presents the main features of the early Christian community in Jerusalem.

The first Christians, in Jerusalem, kept the Temple as a point of reference, going there every day, but they went as a group, to affirm their identity. And, since the beginning, they were celebrating the Eucharist in their homes. They lived together and put everything in common. According to the Acts of the Apostles, they remained faithful to what they deemed essential: 

1. the teaching of the apostles (catechesis), 
2. the fellowship (brotherhood), which implied solidarity and sharing, 
3. the Eucharistic celebration (“the breaking of bread”) 
4. and prayer. 

And these remain essential for us as well. From the beginning, the Eucharist became the centre of the community and the eucharistic celebration implies the other aspects (pillars) of Christian life: the word of God, communion (fellowship, solidarity and sharing) and prayer. If one of these pillars is missing, the community easily goes astray.

The Gospel makes it very clear that Jesus Christ is the foundation, the cornerstone, upon which the Church is built. The Risen Lord is the source of our hope. However, it was very difficult for the disciples to accept the resurrection of Jesus. The attitude of Thomas is an example. Then, believing that Jesus rose from the dead could lead the disciples to forget his passion and death on the cross. Jesus was aware of this danger and he confronted the disciples with his wounds, for them to understand that the Risen Christ is the one who was crucified. His wounds were like his identification card to the disciples. It is through his death on the cross that we are reconciled with God. As we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, we must remember as well his passion and death. That’s why the Eucharist is a memorial: we do it in remembrance of Jesus Christ. We cannot separate the Risen One from the Crucified One, for it is through his wounds that we are saved.

Outside the community (outside the Church), it is difficult to experience the risen Christ. This is what happened to Thomas. He was absent from the community meeting and rejected the testimony of those who had met Christ. He wanted an experience tailored to his needs. To make sure it was the same Jesus, he wanted to see, touch and feel. He wanted a physical, tangible experience. Without it, he doesn't believe. Many of us are like Thomas: staying away from community assembly, we do not hear the Word of God being proclaimed and we do not share the bread of life that the Lord gives. Returning to the community, and participating in the Sunday Assembly, Thomas was ready to recognise the Risen Jesus.

In many countries of the world, during this pandemic of coronavirus, the churches are closed for the public celebration of the Eucharist. It is a kind of fasting forced on us to avoid the danger of being infected or of infecting others. Certainly, we are missing our brothers and sisters who come together to give thanks and praise to the Lord. And feel starving for the bread of life that gives strength and hope. Living by faith, we need to hear the word being proclaimed, we need to pray together and to share with others the love that God has given us. As we pray in our domestic churches at home, remember that we are united in Jesus forming with him and in him one body.