Thomas' Need to Know

So the other disciples told Thomas, “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.”

(from John 20:19-31)

You’d have to see it to believe it!!!

I have a 60-year-old automatic watch my father gave me for college graduation.

The watch, like me, slowed down, needs repair, and requires a specialist compelling me to do an internet search for a repair shop fixing antiques and vintage timepieces.

I located a shop about 20 miles away claiming to repair antique and vintage watches.

Entering the shop, I was amazed to see a collection of grandfather clocks, mantle clocks, wall clocks, and a collection of antique vintage watches.

It's an astonishing collection!!

You’d have to see it to believe it!!!

The only way to experience my amazement, you MUST go there! (133 S Courtland St, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301)

 That’s how it was with Mary and the disciples behind the locked doors fearing for their lives.

Mary makes this astounding announcement “I have seen the Lord.”

Remarkably, Jesus enters the room saying, “Peace be with you” breathes the Holy Spirit on them commissioning them to serve in his name.

The disciples rejoice seeing him especially when Jesus shows his hands and feet confirming this is how one recognizes the Risen Lord.

Thomas, slightly skeptical and probably brokenhearted, needs to rejoice as the disciples have, so he says, I need to see Jesus to believe it.

Understanding Thomas’ needs to know more in his faith journey, Jesus again stands among the disciples meeting Thomas’ need by showing his hand and side.

Sometimes we have to see it to believe it by trusting Jesus will show up in whatever locked rooms we see be them an evil, an injustice, an oppression, or our own locked rooms.

It’s by trusting, through Word and Sacrament, that Jesus will show up we can believe God’s peaceful kingdom will reign.