From the NRSV version of the Bible – John 20:19-29.
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, 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.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
2 comments:
Every year at this time I struggle to discover the meaning of Easter. There are plenty of answers in Christian dogma and in my own past as someone who was raised an Episcopalian. But the mystery of Christ’s resurrection is a living mystery, and I am constantly searching for a living answer that reflects what Jesus is calling me to be at this time, in this moment.
I see myself reflected in Thomas, the doubter, the critical person who is compelled to try to poke holes in things, test them. But Jesus accepts me as I am, he invites me to poke my holes and calls me into intimate relationship with him through my very judgmentalness. There is a way for me to become a truly loving person using the materials I have been given if I only follow his call.
Loving Jesus, help me to listen to your voice. Help me to receive the Spirit through you. Let me receive your peace and bring it to others, through your loving presence.
Jesus, bless me with your peace.
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