Liturgical Note:
For the bulk of the year, our Gospel readings come from the Gospel of Luke.
From Easter through Trinity Sunday the Gospel readings come from the Gospel of
John – with one exception, the Festival Services Easter morning. The Sunrise
Service on Easter, however, is from John.
Poor Thomas! So often there is an adjective attached to
his name - doubting. He is rarely just Thomas, or even St. Thomas. He is
Doubting Thomas. Some see him as the sceptics’ saint. Others view his behavior
as nothing short of blasphemous.
Should he have believed Jesus rose from the dead? Sure.
Jesus said he would. His friends and fellow disciples had sworn to him that
Jesus was raised and they had seen him.
Would we have done better if we were in his sandals? I’m
not so sure.
Perhaps instead of shaking our heads as poor Doubting
Thomas, we should consider Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who have not seen
and yet have believed.” Blessed. Not better, but blessed. Blessed means that
this faith which we-who-have-not-seen have is a gift from God, and something
for which we should be grateful.
Thomas lived the rest of his life telling people that
Jesus had risen from the dead. I wonder how he felt when people did not believe
him? I wonder if he was more patient with those who would not believe because
of his own experience. I do not know. I do know this, however, it is said that Thomas
is buried in Chennai, India, on the far east side of the country. That’s a long
way from Jerusalem. He told a lot of people about Jesus, the One who was
crucified and raised from dead, on the way.
Do you ever consider yourself blessed for believing that
Jesus has risen from the dead? Where is God giving you the opportunity to share
Jesus’ resurrection?
Lord Jesus, Thomas
refused to believe that you had risen from the dead, but he later confessed
that you are his Lord and God. Thank you for Thomas, for his faith, and for his
witness to the world that you were crucified and died, but that you also rose.
Forgive us when we are like Thomas preferring proof for our eyes over the
blessing of believing without seeing. Help us boldly confess that you are our
Lord and God, our Savior and Redeemer, and share the hope and blessing we have
through faith in you. Amen.
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