The witness given in our readings this Sunday is extraordinary. “Doubting” Thomas comes up with one of the most powerful, concise creeds in all of scripture: “My Lord and my God!” In spite of all we have heard and all we have seen, it is often hard to believe. Because it is hard to believe, we will invest ourselves in the Easter mystery for fifty days (a week of weeks). Because it is hard to believe, John the evangelist will provide sign after sign celebrating Jesus’ victory over death. Because it is hard to believe, the risen Jesus will return to us again and again in the mystery of holy communion, inviting us to touch and taste his presence, and offering us his peace. This Sunday Deacon Bri reminds us that the Spirit is still at work, giving ordinary, doubting people extraordinary boldness to declare our faith, whether we are a teen being confirmed or an octogenarian cradle Lutheran.
image: Plaque with Doubting Thomas. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Gift of George Blumenthal, 1941. Image Public Domain.