Scripture Reflection, April 11: Here is what Happened!

Scripture Readings:
Acts 5:12-16
Ps 118
Rev 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19
John 20:19-31

I don’t know if any of you like to watch the TV series “Monk.” Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) was a rising star with the San Francisco Police Department until the tragic murder of his beloved wife, Trudy, left him shattered and wracked with phobias, obsessions and compulsions. His extreme case of obsessive-compulsive disorder cost him his job, and for a time rendered him virtually unable to function. Yet despite his condition, Monk remains a successful detective. There is no case that he can’t figure out. When his brilliant mind puts the pieces of the puzzle together and makes him understand the solution, the scene is introduced with the words: “Here is what happened.”

“Here is what happened” could be the title of the readings for this Sunday. The Scriptures try to resolve the mystery of the beginning of the Church. There are visions like those seen by John in the Book of Revelations and experiences of success and failures of the first Christians described in the Acts of the Apostles. We may think that the journey of the Church is not as important as the story of Jesus’ life and death described in the Gospel – but we would be wrong. Maybe the greater miracle begins here. How could this group of believers in Jesus Christ, initially a small Jewish sect, survive for over 2,000 years? “Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.” With these words John introduces the descriptions of his visions about the Church in the Book of Revelation. At the same time, the first apostles are trying to take the first “baby steps” to live out their mission after Jesus’ death and resurrection. And we can be thankful to have those testimonies that help us understand better “what happened” in those early days of the Church. One thing that seems to be very obvious is that from the very beginning of the Church there have been light and shadows.

In the passage preceding today’s first reading, we can read the story of Ananias and Sapphira who sold a piece of land and made some good profit. Instead of sharing the whole amount of money received with the community, Ananias kept part of it for himself, giving only the rest to the apostles. When the betrayal was discovered both Ananias and Sapphira died. And “great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.” No wonder that even though the apostles were esteemed, “none of the others dared to join them.” But on the other hand we can hear about all the wonders Peter and the other apostles operated. They healed the sick and cured people from unclean spirits and “great numbers of men and women were added to them.” - Light and shadows…

“Here is what happened.” Throughout the history of the Church there have been holy men and women who witnessed to the Gospel through their words and deeds. They work for better health care, education, orphanages, peace and justice and assure the presence of the sacraments within the Catholic community. And there have been others who betrayed Jesus’ message of the kingdom of God in one way or another. The truth is Jesus has entrusted his Church to saints and sinners. When Jesus appeared to his disciples who were hiding behind locked doors, the group was made up of a variety of people and personalities. Among them Peter, who denied Jesus three times and Thomas who didn’t want to believe in his resurrection. But nevertheless – these were the people Jesus sent to bring the Good News. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you,” he said to them.

When we hear about the Catholic Church in the news these days, we can get very frustrated. The headlines are full of terrifying news about sex abuse, lies and attempts to cover things up. Light and shadow. Saints and sinners. At the same time we can’t forget that we are still the people Jesus entrusts his Church to. We are the people he sends out to bring the Good News. Jesus knew that none of his disciples were perfect. We have to acknowledge this imperfection, the sinfulness and weakness of God’s people. We have to make sure that sin and the betrayal of the Gospel message will be brought into the light and that people take on their responsibilities before God, the community and the law. But we shouldn’t lose heart and remember that this is not the Church of more or less holy people, but the Church of Jesus Christ.

We all are called to be part of this holy Church that can be called holy only because Jesus is holy. It’s a Church truly made of saints and sinners – but it is the Church of Jesus Christ. And we are invited to believe in his guidance and presence especially in times like this, where there is disappointment, shame and confusion. What happened in the early Church, happens also today. But it is to us that Jesus speaks the encouraging words, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you. … Receive the Holy Spirit.” And: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Mt 28:18).

As we gather for the Eucharist this Sunday, let us remember that the Church is founded on Christ’s death and resurrection and that he is with us now and always. Let us renew our commitment to our baptismal call to follow Jesus and to obey his commands. If we are faithful to Jesus words, we will be witness of a renewed Church that can bring the light and hope of the Gospel to many.

Birgit Oberhofer