Many years ago, when I had more hair than I do now, I did a few months of theological studies at the College of the Transfiguration in Makhanda, as part of my novitiate. I think the thing that I remember most vividly is that one of the lecturers said something like: Good theology is not about good answers, but about good questions.
And so, with that in mind, we move, in what feels like one fell swoop, from “Hallelujah, Christ is Risen,” to “Tell us plainly, are you the Messiah?” – and do not keep us in suspense!
I’m not sure if this counts as a good question; however, I think it is a real question and it pretty much reflects realistically on the human condition. Yet, it does feel and seem odd to ask this question so soon after our very clear and public celebration of Christ’s resurrection. However, I think this clearly tells us how faith works. I’m convinced that real faith is not some clear delineation between confusion and clarity, or between doubting and trusting. One of our monastic vows is conversion to the monastic way of life, and I think that is how faith also works; it is a continuous process of turning back to God.
So, I think when we ask Jesus today, and any other day, to tell us plainly, I’m sure we are not alone. This is how faith works; from “Christ is Risen,” to “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
And the reality is, even those that lived with and around Jesus, and saw the crucifixion and burial, and empty tomb, had their doubts. Why would we think that we are superior to them and not have any doubts?
However, no matter what we are going through that prompts us to ask this question, God never leaves us in suspense, because at the heart of this passage and, indeed, the whole Gospel, is this promise: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.”
And this is also the big invitation; the invitation to belong. It is very hard to believe in something to which we do not belong. Usually belonging comes before believing. And Jesus says quite plainly, “You do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.” However, we have to choose to belong, we have to give consent, and then belief will follow. Then, by following daily in the footsteps of the Shepherd, his voice will become familiar, and we will recognize it better and clearer every day. And hopefully in this way our response may change from “tell us plainly” to “I can see plainly!”
We are all stumbling sheep, and our only hope is the endless and amazing goodness and love of our Shepherd.
And do not be afraid of the questions; turn them into a prayer!