Sermon: "Support for Faith"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

[This sermon by Bishop vonRosenberg was delivered using the following notes.]

Today - the Sunday after Easter Day - has traditionally been called "Low Sunday" in the church calendar. That designation does not refer to the spiritual plane on which we find ourselves today - but, rather, to more mundane matters. The experience of the Church through the years is that the Sunday after Easter Day brings lower expectations and lower attendance than the previous one. It probably brings lower collections, too, although I have not heard that explanation for the name. Over the past several years, some clergy in East Tennessee have admitted something to me about my visitations on "Low Sunday" - either they appreciate not having to preach to the smaller crowds … or else, they like having the bishop to blame for low attendance!

Even if the pews on this Sunday may be less full than last week, the Gospel reading for today is anything but empty. In fact, there are three distinct portions which fill up the reading, and each of them gives a lesson of its own.

First, there is the appearance of Jesus to his disciples on Easter evening ... an appearance at which Thomas was not present. Secondly, there is the subsequent appearance a week later when Thomas was there. And then, finally, there is a statement about St. John's purpose in writing this book, this Gospel. That is a lot of ground to cover, especially on "Low Sunday." However, I do have a point or so to make about each portion of today's Gospel.

When Jesus appeared to those disciples on Easter evening, he commissioned them. He tied their callings to his own. He said, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." The disciples are to carry on the work of their leader, even after his departure.

Following the giving of this commission, Jesus offered the means to fulfill that calling. "He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" The Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Christ, which originated with God Himself - that Spirit is the means by which the commission of Christ may be fulfilled. Thus, Christ gave the command, and he also gave the power and the ability to follow his command.

Believe it or not, this little passage has raised considerable problems for biblical scholars. The primary issue for them is the timing of the episode. According to the biblical witness we just read, Jesus breathes on his followers and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

Yet, Pentecost has not happened yet. Pentecost - the great feast day of the Holy Spirit - has not taken place. That sharing of the Spirit on Pentecost seems to be preempted by this earlier event. Thus, to smooth over the chronology a bit, some scholars insist that the episode we read today really happened fifty days later - on Pentecost.

The real problem here is that the Holy Spirit refuses to fit into a box of time or space. Jesus says on one occasion, "The wind (or spirit) blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit" (Jn 3:8). He says, in effect, that you cannot put the Holy Spirit of God in a box of our creating. And yet, we try, anyway.

The Spirit was given by Jesus on Easter evening, as we read today. The Spirit was also given at Pentecost ... and at many other times as well. We pray for the Spirit's presence in a baptized person. At Confirmation, the Spirit's power is evoked once again. We seek the Spirit's blessings at the Eucharist, in Marriage, and, indeed, throughout our lives. And when we invite the Spirit of God into our lives, we give up some control - control that we thought we had previously.

The Holy Spirit of God does not only operate in certain identifiable ways, at certain particular times ... and surely not at our own command. It cannot be contained in our self-made compartments. Rather, the Holy Spirit is at work in the world, empowering those who have been commissioned by Jesus Christ ... that is, those who have been baptized. Our ministries and our lives are united to Christ, and his Spirit gives us the power and the ability to fulfill our calling as his followers.

The second portion of the Gospel reading deals with Jesus' appearance in the presence of Thomas. Remember that Thomas was not there the first time. And, it is from this second encounter that Thomas has gotten some bad press.

I do not think that Jesus intended to put down old Thomas too badly. Rather, I think this episode intends to indicate a couple of things primarily - the limitations even of Jesus' followers in terms of belief, and Jesus' awareness of those human limitations.

In defense of Thomas, I want to tell a story on myself. Perhaps you can relate to it as well. Some years ago, Annie and I had the privilege of touring that great art gallery in Paris - the Louvre. In that gallery are some of the greatest works of art in the world. And included is the "Mona Lisa," probably the best known of all famous paintings anywhere. As I walked through the halls there, I kept saying to myself, "I cannot believe that I'm seeing these things!" Even with my limited art education, I marveled at what I saw. And I really had trouble believing that the "Mona Lisa" was just around one of those corners. In fact, I could not believe it until I actually saw it.

But suddenly, there it was ... or, rather, there she was. The painting was so familiar as to be quite personal. She was tattered and worn and dirty. I understand, in fact, that no one dares to clean up the painting for fear of being known as the person who ruined the "Mona Lisa." Even in that poor state of repair, though, there she was, and I could see her. Then, and only then, could I believe it.

Thomas' reaction to secondhand information about the risen Christ was probably not all that different. I can relate to his reaction. He needed to see for himself. And Jesus understood that need.

Thirdly, and finally, the purpose of the Gospel is presented in this reading. St. John indicates that not all about Jesus is recorded in this book. Indeed, in the next chapter, John writes that if all the things that Jesus did were put down, "I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written" (21:25). Thus, John is clear that this is not intended to be a biography or any kind of complete account of Jesus' life and ministry.

Rather, he writes, the Gospel is written as a support and an aid to faith. It is written, he says, "so that you may come to believe." The Gospel is a testimony to the truth of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Further, by means of the Gospel, we - the readers - may claim life in his name.

Therefore, in these three parts of today's Gospel reading, we are presented a very interesting picture - a picture for our faith. Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to his followers in order to empower us to live the life of faith to which we are called. Jesus gives that Spirit freely, as his own breath - and he gives it often ... to the disciples, to many others at Pentecost and to us at various times and places.

Then, the second glimpse of faith that we see in this reading is of Christ who understands his followers and all our weaknesses. Even though we have received his Spirit, still our faith is shaky and uncertain at times. Jesus Christ knows that, and he understands. He supports us in our weakness.

And finally, we have the affirmation that the Bible itself is a source of strength to our faith. The Gospel testifies to Jesus himself, who is our ultimate reason for faith, as his Spirit is our power for faith.

This may be "Low Sunday" in some ways, but certainly not in the high calling we receive from our Lord and in the wonderful affirmation we are offered! Thanks be to God!

Copyright © 2004 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee