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I think that must be how Thomas felt when he was told by other followers of Jesus about the Resurrection. His, "unless I see the marks of the nails etc" sounds a bit petulant but you can perhaps understand how he was feeling. Everybody was so excited, except him.
It is very difficult to share the experience of others when it's second-hand to you. Even if you try to be part of it, when the personal involvement isn't there, then it really is hard to get truly involved. It's a bit like being forced to watch somebody's holiday video and listen to their comments about people and things you just aren't part of. (Why do such videos take so long to view - at least with snapshot photos it was usually over relatively quickly.)
Not being part of the action is something that happens to many during Holy Week. Quite a few Christians skip the journey of Jesus which has brought salvation to th world and jump to the Easter bit. What they miss out on is the journey to the heart of Christian faith.
The Holy Week journey of the Church is carefully laid out to take us on a pilgrimage through the Gospel events of our Lord's final week on earth. Each day is a scene in a Sacred Drama - THE Sacred drama - which follows the events of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Eve until the joyful outburst of Easter. Each part of that week, including the quiet reflective days at the beginning leads us deeper into the heart of faith. We are enriched in that journey because we are learning what Jesus really did for the world and for us. Those who have walked "The Way of the Cross" have often found it a converting and renewing experience. The first time I did it, I was in my early twenties and it was 'mind-blowing'. In fact, I would say that without that experience I wouldn't be writing these words today. And each year, new layers of insight unfold and are revealed by God. It's a truly amazing experience and I continue to be converted by it.
But there I go - I'm in danger of telling you about something which you may not fully understand because you haven't experienced it. Like my friends who told me of something I wasn't able to share, you might be feeling a bit left out.
Except of course, it hasn't happened yet - at least not this year. The journey, the experience, the opportunity for deep renewal of faith, starts next Sunday. I thought if I reminded you of it this week, there's a chance you won't miss out. You might even be able to tell other people about it as a result. I believe that's called witnessing to the Gospel because you understand it. I think that might also be called mission.
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