John 20: 24-25 (a version for today)
When the other disciples tell Thomas that they have seen Jesus, Thomas replies, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in those very same nail marks, and thrust my hand into his wounded side, I will not believe!’
Let us join traumatized, doubting Thomas and listen to his reflections.
Meditation of Thomas:
They are all daft, the whole lot of them, my disciple colleagues. I never thought I’d see the day. I thought Peter had more sense. And James and John, they’re hot headed at times, but sensible blokes, or so I thought.
Okay, the others are suspect. That zealot Simon believes anything. And the women who keep company with us, they all have their heads in the clouds.
This morning the women announce an empty tomb. This afternoon, my mates say Jesus has risen from the dead and visited them alive.
You heard what I tell them. Unless Jesus appears to me, unless my eyes behold the marks on his hands, feet and sides, and my fingers actually touch the wounds, I will not believe!
