Meeting Us Where We Are

In John 20, the risen Jesus says 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.”

I love how Jesus meets Thomas where he is! Thomas won’t believe some pious hope just because his friends do. Thomas wants to touch for himself! Jesus realizes that for Thomas, belief includes touch, and Jesus invites him to do so. How can that help you in your unique way of seeking? Perhaps your faith gets nourishment in a different way from others in your circle of family or friends. What is nourishing for you? Music? Word? Action? Meditation? Moving? Sitting? It is not just Thomas that Jesus meets as he is, but you also in your uniqueness.

In the early church, people struggled with what it meant for Jesus to be resurrected, but they couldn’t just reach out and touch him or hear him with their ears. Perhaps that makes sense to you, too. We hear this gospel passage each year on the Sunday after Easter for good reason. While Easter services are often filled with music and flowers and people gathering all together, our doubts and questions still continue. What are yours? How can we help, as with Thomas, providing an invitation to touch Christ in the places where there was suffering (hands and feet – from the crucifixion)?

Beloved people of St. Timothy, God continues to go with us through all our days. May God grant you joys of insight and wonder this week.

Peace,
Hans