Vie de Jesus MAFA: Jesus Appears to Thomas
Acts 4:32-35
Practicing Resurrection
Perhaps they thought they didn't have much time,
Which made the way they acted, so sublime;
The property they owned, they did not keep,
But, giving all, they made the have-nots weep
To see the real conviction they proclaimed
That Christ was risen, showing love untamed;
Thus, having no more need for self-protection,
They still show how to practice resurrection.
Scott L. Barton
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart
and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but
everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave
their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon
them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands
or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at
the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
John 20:19-31
It's Not God If You Think You Understand*
Perhaps you think there's something wrong with doubt,
And wonder if you might be less devout
Than others who on faith sound much more pure,
Reflecting by their words a love more sure.
But doubt in faith's no enemy of mine,
And Thomas has no less of love divine
Than anyone who thinks, and yet risks still
Believing that God's love our lives fulfill.
The Kenyan Muslims who protected friends
Are blessed; while those whose certainty descends
Unto the hell of Al Shabab, depraved,
Reveal a faith by which they are enslaved.
Likewise, it's clear religious freedom laws
When twisted to what seems a righteous cause
Devolve unto the wrong which just divides,
Confusing fervent love for God with pride.
Who knows why love forgives in Jesus' form,
Or bids the Risen One now be our norm;
It's not God if you think you understand,
The best of faith with doubt goes hand in hand.
Scott L. Barton
(2015)
[*Augustine: "Why wonder that you do not understand?
For if you understand, it is not God." Serm. 117, 5: PL 38, 673.]
Caravaggio: The Incredulity of St. Thomas (c. 1602)
Your Door's Too Light to Shut Out God
Young man –
Young woman –
Old man –
Old woman –
Middle-aged man –
Middle-aged woman –
Your door’s too light to shut out God.
You may think
You’re safe from trouble
And nothing can get in,
You may think
The door is barred
For fear of what has been,
You may think
That what you’ve done could
Never be forgiven,
Or most of all,
That love is gone,
Along with joyful living;
But when for all
That you’ve been through
You then expect the least,
The Lord of love
Will walk right in
And say just one word: Peace.
Scott L. Barton
(2014)
(The beginning is a take-off on James Weldon Johnson’s “The
Prodigal Son” from “God’s Trombones.”)
Why "Peace?"
Oh, why do you think that he said to them, “Peace,”
When they huddled together for fear the police
Would find them, and charge them with breaking the Law?
Well, they worried their running would stick in his craw!
And now he was back, he would give them what for!
But he knew they were scared to death; thus through the
door,
This Jesus, whom not by cruel death could be changed,
Walked right in, since betrayal could not stop the range
God's grace would extend – which is what we all doubt!
So don’t limit this text, thinking Thomas it flouts;
It’s you, and it’s me who need Jesus’ kind word,
Which is why he then told them, their spirits to gird,
And follow his lead towards the whole human race,
And not doubt that e’en you can bear witness to grace.
Scott L. Barton
(2013)
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week,
and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of
the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After
he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples
rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed
on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of
any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when
Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “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.”
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week,
and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of
the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After
he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples
rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed
on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of
any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are
retained.”
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was
not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “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.”
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and
Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among
them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said 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.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him,
“Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not
seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence
of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so
that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and
that through believing you may have life in his name.
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