https://shepherdofthemountains.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-11-Online-Readings-Gospel.pdf
This Gospel story has always touched me because I am a twin. I know there are
fraternal and identical – and some other combinations too. But I do not
claim to know much more genetically than that since I just live it out and not
study this part of my life. I do know that my sister and I have “intuitions”
about each other. Sometimes we call each other at the same time because we
“sensed” something and that there seemed to be a “disturbance in the force”
between us and that maybe one of us was feeling sick or dealing with a
particular event! One time we met and brought each other surprise gifts.
I opened my gifts first – she brought me gourmet coffee, a couple of great
candles of my favorite scent, and some homemade dish cloths. When she opened my
surprise bag, she found a bag of her favorite gourmet coffee, a couple of her
favorite candles, and some hand towels!! What can I say?
This Sunday the Gospel reading is from John 20:19-34, the story of Thomas who
seemed to be missing at the first appearance of Jesus in the upper room. Thomas
is known as “Doubting Thomas” but it is also stated that he is called the Twin.
I wondered if he had a twin sister like me. Some commentaries I have read
over the years have said that possibly he was called “twin” because he was
similar in looks to Jesus. Other reflections stated that WE are the TWIN!
We, like Thomas, have times in which we ask for a sign, need more
evidence before we believe something, or walk around with doubts – Jesus was so
attentive to the way in which Thomas needed to move into a deepening of his
faith. “Then he focused his attention on Thomas. ‘Take your finger
and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Do not be
unbelieving. Believe.'”
As I pondered in my prayer today – I wondered - what if Jesus were standing in
front of me and he tenderly and compassionately desired to place his fingers in
my wounds? Where are those unseen, secret and sacred places within me
that only God knows that are awaiting a healing touch? What wounding am I
aware of in myself that are the sorrowful mysteries of my own life? How would I
come to forgiveness of myself, of others, and of creation? How would I
come to a deepening of my own faith, love, and hope?
Where do we need to invite Jesus to touch the wounds of humanity? Let us
together ask Jesus to touch with healing, mercy, and peace those areas where
there are conflicts, abuse, hunger, poverty, injustice, suffering for those who
are marginalized in our governments, church, or systems? I know there is
a litany with much more that I could name.
So let us pray: Holy Darkness, God of Mystery that creates in and through
us, help us not to resist the darkness. Help us to trust in you precisely in
those moments when we are confused or uncertain or do not understand.
Heal us of our trepidation in the face of the unknown and help us to
yield to the creative process that at this very moment is at work in the inner
darkness, in the unseen, secret places that only you know. Like dark
energy, may your Spirit expand my being so that I become more of who you desire
me to be – free, capable of loving and being loved. Amen. (From Radical
Amazement by Judy Cannato)
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