Peace Be With You

Who can blame Thomas for wanting to see and believe what seemed impossible? I have a lot of respect for Thomas’ willingness to say what he thought, even though others might not have appreciated it. I have even more respect for Jesus who took him seriously.

My prayer response:

God, when I trust in your full knowledge and understanding of me, I become peaceful. Thank you.

Biblical touchstones:

• 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!” John 20:24-28*
• “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:1-8

Invitation to prayer:
What prayers are emerging from your heart, mind, and body? Pray them now. Let them lead you where you need to go.

Photos: Thomas putting his hand inside Christ’s wound. The outer choir sculpture scene number 32 at the Chartres Cathedral in France.

* John 20:27 says that Christ offered for Thomas to put his hand into His side, but it does not say whether Thomas actually did.