HOMILY 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER 2025
JESUS LIVES – THE STORY GOES ON
WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN IT!
Jn 20.19-31 AA 5.12-16 Rev 1.9-13, 17-19
There is a now famous picture of Pope Francis in 2013, with a lamb around his shoulders, as an image of being a good shepherd, in the way of Jesus. It was a symbol of his love and care for all of God’s people, and that included all of the world’s people, not just Catholics.
He reminded us that Jesus’ message is to love one another and also to look after our common home, precious planet Earth, and its limited resources, to be shared among all. Like St Francis of Assisi, whose name he chose, he was concerned for the poor of the world, and for the whole environment, nature with all of its wonder and beauty.
Francis demonstrated this sense of mission throughout his life. He admitted making mistakes here and there, and when asked who he was, when elected pope, he said “I am a sinner”, which shocked some people! What he was saying is that no-one is perfect, not even the Pope! At the same time, he said he was doing his best to be a faithful follower of Jesus in humility and service of others, and as a person of deep prayer. And he certainly showed that in his 12 years as leader of the Catholic Church, but also a moral leader in the world. Look at the lineup of notables coming to his funeral (even the insulting tangerine one!).
As I said in my Easter homily last week, he has demonstrated a willingness to show vulnerability and acceptance, in his own humanity, as he barely survived recent critical illness, a resurrection of sorts, as he was so close to death.
(On his return to the Vatican, as Johnson Kotaram puts it: “It was not the papal cassock, the golden cross, or the solemn gaze from a palace balcony that marked April 10, 2025. Instead, it was a fragile old man in a striped poncho, worn black trousers, and oxygen tubing, rolling quietly through the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica… He didn’t come to be venerated that day. He came to be… wheelchaired into the most ornate church on earth, dressed in an Argentinian poncho reminded us that fragility is not the opposite of faith—it may be its most honest form… That perhaps, in a moment like this, the Church caught a glimpse of what Jesus meant when he knelt to wash feet instead of issuing commands. This was the Pope as a person, as a pilgrim, as a reminder that grace may arrive not dressed in white but in weakness. And maybe, just maybe, that is the Church we need to become.” The imagery is a simple depiction of Francis living his faith and facing his mortality, as we all must do!)
And yet, despite his weakness, did you know, he even went to the prison on Holy Thursday, to bless the inmates, apologising for not being up to washing their feet this time. Then, a final appearance at St Peter’s Square, where he delivered his final Urbi et Orbi blessing to the world, and rode the popemobile through the crowd one last time, against doctor’s orders!
One thing that stands out for me about Pope Francis is his happy smile, and sense of joy in life, despite the many things that can go wrong and get us down. He said to a gathering of comedians last June: “In the midst of so much gloomy news, immersed as we are in many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles… In your own way, you unite people, because laughter is contagious. It is easier to laugh together than alone: joy opens us to sharing and is the best antidote to selfishness and individualism. Laughter also helps to break down social barriers, create connections among people, and creating spaces of freedom… Can we laugh at God? Of course we can… we can laugh, just as we play and joke with the people we love… Continue to cheer people up, especially those who have the hardest time looking at life with hope… Help us, with a smile, to see reality with its contradictions, and to dream of a better world!”
Malcolm Knox, journalist and author (whose daughter was in the sacramental program when I was PP in Manly), had an insightful reflection in Saturday’s Age and SMH, referring to critics of Francis. I quote him here: “Francis’ heresies included calling for action to save the planet; for priests to baptize the children of single mothers; for accepting the fact of homosexuality; for calling Christians ‘hypocrites’ if they turn their backs on refugees. He supported innocent victims in Gaza and he called repeatedly for a ceasefire. As for racial inclusivity, see if the church could last 5 minutes without diversity…
The Pope’s death brings into sharp focus the clash between organized and organic religions: between traditional institutions and the clamour of new dogmas, from consumerism to Trumpism. Popes and bishops no longer command rulers to colonise the globe or fight their protestant neighbours…
Francis was indeed divisive, if standing up for humanity against a weird personality cult is what it means…”. I like that!!
We are all sad that he has died, but happy and thankful that he is at peace and out of pain. He was a great leader, who showed the way to making the world a better place through his faith, lived out in love, humility and service.
And now for today’s Gospel, which is one of my favourites, where Doubting Thomas often gets bad press. At the same time, he raises reasonable and understandable questions. They have all been demoralized and terrified at what has happened to Jesus, and it is only in time and experiencing his risen presence that they come to realize all is not lost, but rather the opposite. Thomas needs to experience that reality before he steps forward in faith, with his high christological exclamation “My Lord and My God”. Ultimately, for him, seeing is believing, as Jesus expresses blessings for those to follow who have faith in him, but without this direct personal experience.
Our first reading today tells us about Peter and John in Acts of the Apostles, calling people to faith in Jesus and to be baptized as his followers. Like Jesus, they were already copping flak from the religious leaders, who couldn’t do much to stop them continuing their mission of preaching and healing, even if only uneducated laymen, as John puts it. The path of discipleship was never easy or simple.
And so we are called to carry on that mission in our lives and our world, as the Risen Jesus in whom we believe, truly is ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life’, as we remember and give thanks for the ministry and service of Pope Francis.
Francis was a pastor who preached compassion and peace, so I conclude with a story titled “A Boy (or Girl) Like Me” (by Libby Hathorn, illustrated by Bruce Whatley), reminding us that we can all be peacemakers like Pope Francis, in our own hearts.
john hannon 27th April 2025