Week of April 8, 2009
Debbie B.

". . . . . Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.'"
     John 20: 24-29

We are all familiar with this text. I have always liked it. I've also tended to concentrate on the last verse where Christ says "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." It feels personal to me, after all I believe and I have never put my finger in Christ's side or seen his hands. Sometimes however Christ speaks to me in a different part of this text, where he says, "Do not doubt but believe." This also feels personal to me, after all there have been times in my life when I have said, "Are you really there God?"

In this text, merciful Jesus does not abandon Thomas when he hears his doubts, instead he comes to him and offers him proof of his resurrection. I believe that Christ also comes to me when I question his existence. He comes to me in the actions of a friend or loved one, He comes to me in the scriptures, and writings of other believers, and He comes to me in that peace that surrounds me when I surrender my doubts to him in prayer. Our God is a merciful God who does not abandon His followers even when they are consumed with doubt. Our God comes to us and gives us what we need to believe.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who died for all of us, and forgives us our doubts. Amen.

Contributed by Debra B.
Published Monday April 8, 2002
Week 19 of Liturgical Year A