The Locked Room: A Reflection on Risen Life
Welcome to the Synod Retreat where Dominican Friar and former Master of the Order of Preachers, Father Timothy Radcliffe, opened the second meditation with a powerful reflection on “The Locked Room”. As we prepare for the upcoming general assembly, let us dive into John 20:19-29 and explore the depths of what it means to be trapped in darkness and fear.
As we journey through this reflection, we find the disciples in the dark, searching for the Risen Lord. They are immobilized in a locked room, trapped by their own fears and doubts. Just as the morning was dark when they had not yet found the Risen Lord, the evening is dark because they are not yet filled with the Holy Spirit, the breath of life that Jesus offers. They remain in the tomb of the locked room, unable to break free and step into the light.
Jesus gives them the breath of eternal life, the Holy Spirit, empowering them to share in his Risen Life and be sent out as preachers. Just as Mary Magdalene, the Beloved Disciple, and Peter searched for the Risen Lord, we too are called to embody the spirit of the searchers of our time. But to become preachers of the Resurrection, we must be alive in God.
Holiness is being alive in God. Like Charles de Foucauld, who radiated peace and joy, or Carlo Acutis, a modern teenager fully alive in his faith, we are called to breathe deeply the rejuvenating Holy Spirit. The challenge lies in helping each other to embrace this life-giving spirit, even in the face of fear and uncertainty.
Leadership means leading the flock out of confined spaces into the fresh air of the Holy Spirit. It means opening locked doors and dispelling fears that hold us back from being fully alive in God. Our fears, whether of rejection, invisibility, or change, must be confronted and overcome to truly embrace the abundant life that Christ offers.
Like the young Jews offering “free hugs” in a tense place, we must embrace love in the face of hate and take risks for the sake of creating a more compassionate and peaceful world. We must be unafraid of wounds, knowing that the Risen Lord himself bore wounds for our sake.
Our quest for peace and unity must begin within ourselves, by accepting our faults and embracing truth. We must overcome narrow-mindedness and fears that limit our capacity to love and grow. The Church, as St. Ephraim said, is a big church with a big lap, welcoming all who seek to live out their faith in freedom and joy.
The essence of this Synod lies not in negotiations or structural changes, but in choosing life, conversion, and forgiveness. The doors of stuffy rooms must be opened to let in the healing light of God’s grace and mercy. Let us dare to step out of our comfort zones and into the wide-open spaces of faith, guided by the teachings that unlock the mysteries of divine love.
As we reflect on these profound truths, let us be like Thomas, unafraid to passionately confess, “My Lord and my God.” Let us be bold in teaching the doctrines of our faith, sharing the rich meat of Church teachings with a hungry world. Let us embrace new ways of speaking, new languages, and new dialogues that invite others into the infinite mystery of God’s love.
Together, let us break free from the locked rooms of fear, ignorance, and prejudice, stepping into the expansive horizons of faith and love. The journey may be challenging, but with God’s peace as our guide, we can overcome violence, hatred, and discord, uniting as one body in Christ.
