Second Sunday of Easter
Darts have always intrigued me ever since I was young. Maybe it’s because I thought they were weapons that ninjas used. Or maybe it’s the way they seemingly disappear from your hand and magically appear on the dart board after you throw them. They just seemed so cool to me. Until 2nd grade anyway.
Some time ago, I was at a friend’s house and saw that he had a dartboard. So, I told him a story. One day in 2nd grade, my brother and I were playing outside and found an old dart that had fallen behind a plant. I was so excited to finally hold one since I was never allowed to play with them. I went straight to my dad’s dart board to try and hit the bullseye. Filled with adrenaline, I took aim and threw it hard. Unfortunately for me, it somehow hit the thin metal wire that separates each section of the board. The dart ricocheted back to me and landed on top of my head. I screamed and cried and didn’t know what to do. Thankfully my neighbor who was there took care of me and it ended up not being a serious injury. After hearing this story, my friend said, “pics or it didn’t happen.” I wasn’t really in the position to take a picture at the time, so I obviously didn’t have any. It sounds like an unbelievable story, but because my brother was there to witness it, my friend believed me.
In the Gospel this week, we hear about the disciples, locked in a room, scared about what would happen to them if they went outside. Yet in the middle of their fear, Jesus appeared to them and showed them that He has truly risen from the dead. The disciples in this story remind me of the situation we’re all in right now. We also hear about how Thomas doubted the rest of the disciples when they said Jesus came to them. He doubted the resurrection that Jesus Himself, told them about. Stuck in quarantine, some of us might be fearful of what could happen to us if we go outside. Others might be despairing over the loss of a loved one. A few of us might be doubting Jesus’ presence in this situation. These were the same feelings that the disciples felt when Jesus died. They were restless and anxious. But in the middle of all this, Jesus showed himself to them and said, “Peace be with you.” I felt like I really needed to hear that. It’s so easy to get caught up in the bad that’s going on, that sometimes, we can’t see the good things in life. Jesus reminds us that wherever He is, there will be peace. If we keep him in our hearts in every situation, and believe in Him, he will bring peace in our hearts. The disciples thought that death was the end, and that Jesus is gone. But that’s not the case. Jesus rose from the dead to show us a reality that’s far greater than death. He is inviting us to eternal life with Him, where no pain and suffering exist. Only love, joy and endless happiness.
So, in this time of great uncertainty, let’s continue to pray and ask Jesus to come into our lives and bring us peace. Let’s ask Him to give us faith to believe that He will be with us in our struggles. His love for us is real and even when we can’t see Him, He will never abandon us. Let’s hold on to His promise that we will be with him in His kingdom. Because heaven is real, even if there are no pictures yet.
