1. It’s interesting isn’t it – that today’s gospel is in many ways a repetition of last week’s gospel.
2. Remember? Last week we heard from John’s gospel
a. disciples after crucifixion frightened, hiding behind locked doors
b. Jesus appears – peace be with you
c. one missing – Thomas
d. he doubts
e. week later Jesus appears again and shows Thomas his wounds
3. This week – we hear about the same event from Luke
a. there’s got to be a reason why we’re hearing the same story again
b. and I’m going to find it
c. I combed through both versions of the story
d. and I found it
e. In John’s version last week the primary focus was on doubt – Thomas’ doubt and the doubt of anyone who read the story
f. But in this week’s version from Luke the primary focus is fear-
g. the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost when Jesus appeared and they were afraid
h. Jesus dealt with doubt by showing Thomas his wounds
i. He dealt with fear by asking for food and eating it
j. See – a ghost doesn’t eat food
4. Then Jesus does Bible study with them
5. He shows them how his death and resurrection was prophesied in the Old Testament, the Prophets, and the Psalms
6. Then he gives them instructions
a. here they are huddled in fear
b. their numbers had shrunk
c. Can anyone relate?
d. and Jesus after dealing with their doubts and fears gives them their marching orders
7. Their ministry, which they thought was over is going to expand again
8. And here’s what your ministry needs to be about, he says
9. You’re going to proclaim repentance, turning around, changing directions, forgiveness and mercy
10. And you are going to do this all over the place
11. You realize, don’t you, that these marching orders are for us also?
12. What if Jesus is here among us saying you need to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins in my name everywhere.
13. Well, how the heck are we supposed to do that?
14. I used to be terrified that Jesus would ask me, the introvert, to stand on the corner in front of Vons and hand out tracts
15. In my life – the only way I have ever seen people change their lives, turn around and experience God – the only way is through hearing other people tell their Jesus stories.
16. Like on Cursillo – Thursday to Sunday filled with people, both lay people and priests telling their stories
17. And lives are changed
18. Jose Garcia
- he & wife drug addicted
- wife died – his turning around
- he tells it on Cursillo
- the whole room in tears
- believe me, when Jose tells his story lives change
19. I’m Irish – my Dad was born in Belfast
20. The Irish love to tell stories and we love to hear stories
21. We know the power of stories
22. The Ancient Irish people had folks set aside who were the official story tellers
23. They were called shanachie
24. The shanachie documented events – they were the historians, the ones who remembered and shared what they remembered
25. In the early days, the Celts insisted that only poets could be the story tellers
26. Why? Because they believed that knowledge that is not passed through the heart is dangerous
27. It may lack wisdom if it does not come from the heart
28. So in order to have power it had to come from the heart. Interesting, huh?
29. Robert McKee is a world famous creative writing professor at USC
30. His students have won
a. 36 Academy awards
b. 164 Emmys
c. 19 Writer’s Guild of America awards
d. 16 Director’s Guild of America awards
31. He says storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today
32. Stories allow us to step out of our own shoes
33. They tap into our right brain, the place of imagination and creativity, which is the foundation of innovation, self-discovery, and change
34. If you want people to grow in self-knowledge, and to be transformed, he says, tell them a story
35. Storytelling is at the heart of our faith. (Holding Bible up) What is this but a collection of stories?
36. You are witnesses – Jesus says in today’s gospel
37. What are you a witness of?
38. What are your stories?
39. Spend some time pondering that. How do you live your life differently because you are part of the Jesus movement? Who in your life needs to hear that there is a different way to live?
40. Maya Angelou said “There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside of you.”
41. Each of you has stories of the kingdom inside of you
42. Today I commission you as St. Matthias’ shanachie
43. You are our storytellers
44. So go tell your stories and change the world