Here, in their very midst was the author of Life, bringing to them the word of his peace. And that is not all: not just a mending, but something greater than they could ever think or imagine was about to happen. He gives to them a new commission. Adam and Eve had been told to govern and protect the created order as God\u2019s custodians. But this one true human being, this Jesus, this One who is truly God, truly the Son of Man, calls a new family into his service: \u201cAs the Father has sent me, so I send you.\u201d From now on the job would be not simply to care for creation, not just a work of maintenance. Rather, his disciples are enfolded, made part of the Father\u2019s work of restoration. They are to go, to heal, to restore what has been lost, to seek those who have been lost.<\/p>\n
Such a role may seem too great for humankind. After all, it is God himself who is the shepherd of the sheep. But here we are at the dawn of a new creation, a new era in which God\u2019s people are being called no longer simply servants\u2014though servants we are\u2014but FRIENDS. Who is up for this task? The answer is, of course, not one of us. That is why Jesus does not simply give his disciples instructions. He also gives them his very life.<\/p>\n
Think again about the Narnia chronicles. What is it that Aslan does as soon as he has won, with the stone table cracked, the bonds broken and the deep magic accomplished? Why, he visits the dungeon of the White Witch, and begins to breathe upon those who have been petrified, frozen by her evil. He breathes, and they are restored back to life. What Jesus does here on that first Easter evening is even greater: not only does he breathe to restore the disciples back to life. No, he does more. He says to them \u201cReceive the Holy Spirit.\u201d Back at Eden, God gave to humankind the breath of life. Now God the Son hands over to his disciples the One who is in Himself the Breath of new life, the very Spirit of God. Not merely a life force, but the Lord of Life comes to be with these frightened disciples: and they will never be the same. It is as though Aslan had breathed upon a stone cat and made him not merely a living creature but a little lion, bursting with the same vigor of the great Aslan himself, ready to do the work of freeing and bringing joy to those in darkness and in prison.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, by Caravaggio<\/p>\n “Thomas answered and said to Him: my Lord and my God. Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen Me, Thomas, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.” pic.twitter.com\/KaovZxYZ5k<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) April 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n