Doubting Thomas

I'm not sure who wrote this, exactly. The internet has a way of providing a lot of things without all the information. But this is a perspective on the Apostle Thomas that I just LOVE.

--

Everyone but me, it seems--
where was I
that I should miss this grace?
My grief perhaps more
that I could not be consoled by the others
driving me to the streets
to the temple
to the tavern
hoping for some sign.
What did you say? What did you promise?
How could you heal so many
and yet let this be?
I begin to understand Judas now
because you betrayed our hopes.
Maybe he understood more than the rest of us
how wrong we were.

I couldn't stand with John and the Marys
to watch the symbol of my hope destroyed,
but in my own dark corner of despair
I heard your words within me,
"My God, MY GOD, why have you forsaken me?"
Abandoned even more now
that the others have seen you
How can I believe? How can I trust
words again when I so misunderstood your own?
"Peace," they say. "He is alive."
And then they scorn me for wanting proof,
yet did they believe until they saw?
Why is more asked of me?
After all that has passed
I need to see--no, I need to touch
I need to hear your voice again
speaking to me---to ME.

Doubting Thomas they call me,
but haven't we all gotten so much wrong before?
Fighting to be first, cowering in storms,
still counting the loaves and fishes in our minds,
wondering how so few could feed all those thousands, and running away in disbelief
from the cross that hangs over me still.
I've made too many mistakes already
and if it's true,
the only thing that I can trust
is that you will forgive.

Easter Sunday

Christ is risen!

He is risen, indeed!

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Happiest of Easters, my friends. I hope you are celebrating your new life in our Lord with all whom you love. It's a beautiful, sunshiney day here in Encinitas  -- perfect for the joy that comes with this morning. I hope that, wherever you are, you feel the love that has conquered death and will remain with you to the end of the age.

My pastor's sermon this morning reminded us that the angel at the tomb told Mary, Mary, and Solome that Jesus had gone ahead of them to Galilee, and would meet them there. Galilee was their home. Know that Jesus said, therefore, "I'll meet you at home." He's gone ahead to wherever it is that you are going, and will always be preparing your way home.

Have a blessed Easter day, my dears, and know that the the peace of the risen Lord, Jesus the Christ, is with you always.

Good Friday

I've shared this with you before, and I will, no doubt, share it again. On this day of observance of the death of our savior, it is good to remember.

When you remember me, it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart. 


For as long as you remember me, I am never entirely lost. When I'm feeling most ghost-like, it is your remembering me that helps remind me that I actually exist. When I'm feeling sad, it's my consolation. When I'm feeling happy, it's part of why I feel that way. 


If you forget me, one of the ways I remember who I am will be gone. If you forget, part of who I am will be gone. ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ the good thief said from his cross (Luke 23:42). There are perhaps no more human words in all of Scripture, no prayer we can pray so well. 

Frederick Buechner