It is only natural that we like things neat and tidy.
After all, there is also a saying that goes: Tidiness is next to godliness (and of course, messiness leads to craziness).
So even when it comes to our faith, we like it neat and tidy.
More so when it comes to the expressions of our faith, for example, in things like statues, holy pictures, stained glass and other representations of saints.
These are collectively termed as “sacramentals” and they serve as reminders of the blessings of God and for us to keep growing in faith and holiness.
As such, they must be decent representations which are “neat and tidy” and not too fancy or gaudy.
Hence, the statues (that we see here), of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Madonna with the Holy Child, St Teresa and the stained glass representations of her life, are tastefully portrayed and appealing to the senses.
Yet, these images may be rather sanitized and glossed over (makeover).
Because, the reality (or the personality) behind the images can be too stark for our comfort.
In the gospel, we heard that the Risen Christ came into the room where His disciples were huddled together in fear.
When He appeared to them, His first words were “Peace be with you.” And then He showed them His hands and His side.
There is no doubt that He showed them the wounds of His crucifixion in His hands and side.
And what would those wounds look like? Certainly those wounds would not look like those that on the Risen Christ statue that is at the back of the church.
Those wounds on that statue are just too “neat” and too “nice”.
On the contrary, when the Risen Christ showed them His hands and His side, those wounds would have “shocked” His disciples.
Because those mortal wounds pointed to the pain and suffering of Jesus on the cross and to His death.
His wounds were for real. It wasn’t something neat and nice. In fact it would be horrible and shocking.
But as much as those wounds were ugly and repulsive, there was also something about those wounds that filled the disciples with peace and joy.
The Risen Jesus had overcome the pain and suffering and death caused by those wounds.
Jesus had risen from the dead; He is alive!
And that was enough for the disciples because they knew that they had been forgiven, and through the wounds of the Risen Christ, they were healed.
Yes those wounds were not neat and nice; there was no makeover, no plastic surgery.
Those wounds were stark and irksome, with torn flesh and gaping holes that make people turn away. There was certainly no beauty in them.
Yet by looking at the wounds of the Risen Christ, the disciples were healed and they found peace.
And Thomas (poor Thomas) who wasn’t with the disciples when the Risen Christ appeared, obstinately refused to believe.
He not only wanted to see those wounds, he even wanted to touch those wounds.
Simply because those horrible wounds were the marks of death. For Thomas, no one with those kind of wounds would ever be alive.
He just can’t believe that the Risen Christ would still have those wounds that were the marks of death.
Eight days later, when the Risen Christ appeared again to the disciples, He came specially for Thomas.
And there was no need to put his finger or his hand into those gaping wounds.
He saw, he believed, and he proclaimed: My Lord and my God.
Well, eight days after Easter Sunday, we are gathered here again for the Eucharist.
There are no gaping wounds to make us squirm and turn away.
In fact, as we look around, all seem quite neat and nice and tidy.
But let us not think that there are no wounds.
It would not be too presumptuous to say that each of us have our own wounds.
There are wounds of bitterness and unforgiveness; there are wounds of greed and lust; there are wounds of envy and jealousy.
Some of those wounds are gaping and festering, causing us much pain and sorrow.
Yet we try to look nice and neat. We try to do plastic surgery on ourselves, but the plastic cracks and our wounds get worse.
The Risen Christ showed His disciples His wounds so that they can be healed and be at peace.
We in turn must show the Risen Christ our sinful wounds so that we can be healed.
But how are we going to do that?
Well, shortly after the election of the Pope, the Vatican revealed what the then cardinal Jorge Bergoglio said in the Sistine Chapel when he was formally asked if he accepted the outcome of the vote.
He answered: I am a big sinner. Trusting in the mercy and patience of God, in suffering, I accept.
Pope Francis was honest and sincere to say that he is a big sinner and unworthy to be the Pope.
But he also trusted in God’s mercy and love, and with humility he accepted the vote.
The Pope has given us the example of showing his wounds and being healed by God’s mercy and love.
We don’t have to tell the whole world what our sins are and show them our sinful wounds.
We only need to be honest and recognize our own wounds.
Wounds like: I am proud; I am possessive; I am insecure; I am envious and jealous; I am lustful and greedy; I am bitter and unforgiving.
Yes by our wounds we know that we have sinned. Yet by His wounds we know that we can be healed.
This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. From His wounds, mercy and forgiveness flow into our wounds to heal us and grant us peace.
And blessed are we who dare to look at our wounds, and yet believe that we will be forgiven and healed by the mercy and love of God.