Bridging the Gap: 'Chicago Hope'

By Bishop David Zubik

	Bishop David Zubik

While I don't have the opportunity to watch much television anymore, I can tell you that in the former chapters of my life my favorite television shows involved doctors and hospitals. In the 1960's, I became a fan of "Dr. Kildare" and "Ben Casey;" in the 1970's "Marcus Welby, M.D.;" in the 1980's; "Saint Elsewhere;" and in the 1990's; the ill-fated "L.A. Doctors" and especially my all time favorite T.V. series, "E.R."

Some of you may remember that at the same time that the long running "E.R." first aired on NBC, at the very same time CBS introduced another hospital show entitled "Chicago Hope." The title of that series "Chicago Hope" was marvelous. Whether fictionalized or in real life, it underscored the hope of all people for healing -- the healing of wounds.

During this Easter season, through the Gospels we once again have an opportunity to meet the first Easter people, among them, Mary Magdalene, Peter and John at the empty tomb, the Disciples on the road to Emmaus and the rest of the Apostles on the seashore.

Traditionally on Divine Mercy Sunday, the Easter person whose story is highlighted is Saint Thomas. Over the years, people have dubbed Thomas as the doubter. Because he was not present when Jesus first appeared to the Apostles in the upper room on Easter night, Thomas protested that he could not believe that Jesus rose from the dead until he first saw the wounds in the hands of Jesus, in His feet and in His side. It is curious that as Saint John the Gospel Writer tells the story of Thomas, he emphasizes that for Thomas it was not only important to see Jesus but especially His wounds.

As we read that Easter story, it wasn't only Jesus who showed His wounds to the doubter. In the admission of his doubts, Thomas also showed his wounds to Jesus and through his story to all of us as well. Consequently, Thomas was able to embrace Easter. He truly came to believe that Jesus is risen from the dead. He came to understand that through the wounds of Jesus, he, Thomas, was healed and all of us as well.

You have heard the expression "Without the cross there could never be Easter."That statement rings true not only about Jesus, but also about each of us as believers of Jesus.

Just as Jesus gave over His wounds to God the Father on the Cross and for us, it is important for us, if we wish to be Easter people, to do the same. It is imperative that we hand over our wounds to God and for others. God the Father can use our wounds to heal others just as He used the wounds of Jesus for us and our salvation.

Whenever we give over our wounds to God -- whatever they may be -- our illness or the illness of a loved one; our fear of death or the death of someone we love; our anger or resentment over some hope dashed; our hurt as a result of a broken marriage or betrayed friendship -- we can become Easter people. By showing and sharing the pain of our wounds with God, we can we grow and feel the joy of Easter.

A great deal happened in the upper room when Jesus showed His wounds to Thomas and vice-versa. Through a similar encounter with Jesus we too can add our names to the long list of Easter people whose stories call us to be Easter people too!