Locking Ourselves Up

Gospel: John 20: 19-31

Eleven men have locked themselves in an upper room, afraid to be seen in public.  Their teacher and lord has been executed, and they think they are next.  But women went to the tomb and saw Jesus risen, as did two men who were walking to Emmaus.  In spite of the fact that these people have been in public without harm coming to them, and in spite of the fact that multiple witnesses have seen Jesus alive, these eleven men continue to remain locked away in fear and unbelief.

Jesus then appears to ten of them, Thomas being absent.  Jesus appears again to them - sill locked up in the upper room!  They have seen others of their company moving about freely; they have seen the Lord risen from the dead, and they still remain locked up in fear.   In spite of all they have seen and heard with Jesus over the past three years, they remain in fear.  

How often have we put ourselves in the same situation! We have walked as people of faith with the Lord for so many years.  We have had our moments of grace, moments of mercy.  We see the risen Lord each day in the midst of our neighbor, at the Eucharistic table, in the splendor of creation.  How often we hear these words from Jesus: It is I, do not be afraid.  The time has come for us to unlock the door and come out of our self-created tombs - to rise with the Lord and be instruments of mercy in the world.