Show Me

I’m from Missouri.

Not really, I’m from Kentucky (and Connecticut and Massachusetts and Virginia and DC.)

But I share a human trait that those folks from Missouri are proud to claim.

Their state is known as the “Show Me” state.

They’re realistic, practical, skeptical folks.

They’re not going to be easily taken in by some scam or ruse.

This past Sunday we had our parish Confirmations.

Bishop Gonzalez confirmed eight young teenagers.

Young, but mature enough to make their own informed commitment to their faith.

I held the Sacred Chrism for the bishop as they knelt, one by one, at his chair.

It was my privilege to be right there, nearly touching them.

To see their faces and feel the power as the bishop called the Holy Spirit down on them.

They wore ribbons with their Confirmation names.

Joan of Arc, Elizabeth, Michael, and others.

Years ago, when I was confirmed, I chose the name Thomas.

Partly because I just liked the name.

But also because I admired, and felt an affinity with, two great saints with that name.

More admiration for St Thomas Aquinas—who seemed to have everything figured out.

More affinity with St Thomas the Apostle.

The doubter and skeptic—but ultimately a convinced skeptic.

So, I can’t feel too critical of the crowd in today’s Gospel.

They say they need a sign before they can believe in Jesus.

But he had already performed many signs or miracles.

And this crowd had heard about them.

Just a day earlier, many in this crowd had been with Jesus across the Sea of Galilee.

They were among the 5,000 people he’d fed with only five loaves and two fish.

They also knew he didn’t have a boat, but here he was now, somehow across the sea.

How many signs should it take to convince a skeptic?

Is this guy a magician or the real thing?

But wouldn't we all be skeptical?

Jesus is making the most outlandish, radical claims imaginable.

Is there any more questionable, earth-shaking claim that could be made?

He’s claiming to be God.

The creator of all things—our creator.

The master of the universe.

The one who holds our eternal fate in his hands.

But, here he is; standing right in front of us.

Seemingly just a man, like us.

And yet, his story adds up, it makes sense.

A story of love and forgiveness and redemption and eternal life.

A story that’s believable, but for some, too good to be true.

We have the faith to accept that story—we've embraced it.

What responsibility do we have regarding those who are too stuck in Missouri?

3^rd Tuesday of Easter

Jn 6:30-35                                    Read this Scripture @usccb.org