Joyful confusion

All this week the daily gospel readings have been the resurrection appearances, repeated sightings of the risen Jesus told by every one of the gospel writers. As we’ll hear on Sunday with the story of ‘Doubting Thomas,’ doubt and confusion seems to be part of every story. The women in Mark run away out of fear and ‘say nothing to anyone.’ The disciples in Matthew are still doubting even as Jesus gives them the Great Commission (to go and make disciples). Jesus has to reassure, breathe peace, and even eat in front of the disciples for them to trust their own eyes. 

What a gift to us, that those eyewitnesses were as uncertain as we are. God knows we need repeated assurances as well. Our faith can waver so easily. But God shows up to us over and over anyway. Happy Eastertide!