on meeting the risen Christ

At sol cafe we talked a bit about the encounter which doubting believing Thomas had with the risen Christ.  And before we go any further, why do we always saddle gospel characters with such adjectives as would befit them in the first stage of their journey, rather than the latter stage?  Like the Prodigal Son, why isn't he simply referred to as the Restored Son.  But I digress.  Greatly.

A few of us were gathered a couple of days ago and the comment was that the early disciples didn't settle for a second hand experience of the risen Christ.  In some ways Thomas also represents, apart from the demand for a "materialist proof", the desire to have a first hand encounter with the risen Christ.  I'll just let that simmer.

The heart of the matter is this:  how have I encountered the risen Christ?  In my own life I can recount 4 ways in which I believe I have had a "first hand" encounter with Him.  This is not sophisticated stuff, but simply a few things which I've shared with the good people of St Tim's this last week.  You see, I believe that the risen, living Jesus still wants to meet us.  And doubters who want to find out if Jesus is risen (as opposed to those who don't want to find out) will still be able to say "I have seen the Lord".

When and where and how have I met the risen Christ?  In prayer, in Scripture, in the Sacraments, and in those things I can only describe as acts of love or mercy.  Where have you met the risen Christ?

Comments

[Mrs. Falstaff]

In a dream, once. When I was mourning my baby. I was pretty scared, actually.

[steve the z]

I want to say that I have met Him everywhere, I seldom feel his presence though. Not sure what that means, but it's as honest as I know how to be.

[joseph]

Mrs. Falstaff: thanks for sharing that. I have sometimes wondered about God the Father watching the death of his son as I've talked with people who have lost their children.

steve: I think you have hit on soemthing in the statement about meeting Him everywhere. I'll have to ponder that a bit more. It makes me think that I wish I could be more aware of his presence among "the least of my brethren" especially.

[Mrs. Falstaff]

Re above - I blogged about it, the permalink is here
http://hairyeyeball.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/the-risen-christ/
if you are interested. I don't know how long I will leave it up.

[steve the z]

Mrs. Falstaff, I probably would have hidden as well. Thanks for the privilage of reading a portion of your story, it must be very hard to share.

[Mrs. Falstaff]

Yes, well, I am hiding behind a pen name. You're welcome, in any event.

[steve the z]

When I go swimming in our cold Canadian lakes I always test it with one of my reluctant toes first. Sometimes a wet toe is all the swimming I need.

[Anthony]

i dont think i have ever met him, i think one of the reasons i keep w. xianity is the hope that maybe i will. i am having doubts that will happen

[steve the z]

Joseph, I've been thinking about the "least of my brethern" you wrote of above. It seems we are all "least of" in one way or another. I haven't met any one who didn't need the grace and peace of our Lord any more or less than the next one. Those of us who can hold down a job, dress and feed ourselves sometimes feel differently towards those who struggle with that, but just because there are moments I feel I am something truly special probably means I need more grace at that unsuffrable moment, our maybe "unsuffrable" is the definition of "least of..."