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Painting by Caravaggio |
This Sunday, in some places, is called,
“Thomas Sunday.” Our
Gospel for our liturgies includes John 20:19-31. It
is the story of a week after the Resurrection event, when the disciples are
crowded together again in the upper room - this time with Thomas present. He
was absent from their first experience of Jesus’ appearance to them in the
upper room. So here they are again for another time of gathering to
process what they have experienced and how to move forward beyond Jerusalem!
So often Thomas is associated with doubting, especially in relation to
faith. Although we hear in the other resurrection Gospels that other
disciples doubted as well. Let us not forget Mr. and Mrs. Cleopas who
skipped town after the crucifixion and were “found out” on the road to Emmaus
when the Stranger caught up with them. However, the finger is often
pointed at Thomas and we might hear the expression, “Doubting Thomas” in some
gatherings.
As I reflected on this Gospel, I thought that Thomas is like many of us who
sometimes just need to take leave of all the tensions, trauma, and “too
muching” of highly intense events. We then struggle to get back to balance
and our inner center. He just witnessed the betrayal, arrest,
crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus, whom he loyally followed for three
years. Don’t we all have our own individual and unique ways of holding our
pain and the ache of our grief?
Perhaps the disciples searched for Thomas, and upon finding him invited Thomas
to gather with them once again as they shared their experience of the Risen
Jesus. He may have felt hurt, or jealous, or still be in pain upon
hearing that Jesus appeared in the flesh to them and he was absent. He
knew what he saw and experienced as the Roman soldiers pierced the side of
Jesus and nailed him to the cross. It was too much for his person to
hold! He needed space far away to let the pain of it all weave through
his weary spirit.
But this time, he was in need of some facts – pie charts, bar graphs, graphics,
and possibly a spread sheet with more data! So often in our own journey
of faith, have we not murmured . . . “OK, God, show me a sign and then
I’ll believe it . . .” Thomas is all of us who in our faithing have to be
invited by our God again and again to trust and to risk being loved
unconditionally.
Jesus came in the way that Thomas most needed. He instructed Thomas to
put his hand in his side and fingers in the place of the nails if that is what
Thomas needed. We don’t know if he did. But he did as with laser
speed move to a deeper place of belief and exclaimed, “MY LORD and MY
GOD!!" This was Thomas’ own moment of inner rising!
So let us pray this day that the hand of God touch into the wounds of our
world. Are we not weary with the violence, wars, injustices, and deaths
that humanity has inflicted upon itself and creation?
Let us also pray that we let God’s fingers probe our minds, hearts, and spirits
to release us from anything that keeps us in doubt or resistant to receiving
God’s grace, mercy, and unconditional love. Peace be to all of us!!
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