Today in churches across Christendom, those of us following the Revised Common Lectionary will hear the story of Thomas, Thomas who wasn't there when Jesus appeared to the disciples (where was he?) and who didn't believe the story of resurrection.
And who can blame him? What a strange tale it must have seemed.
We often focus on Jesus who blessed those of us who come later, who will believe without needing to experience the Resurrection with our five senses. But what if there's another way to think about this story?
At the Create in Me retreat this week-end, we had Jacqueline Bussie as our Bible study leader. We talked about the issue of wounds and shame, and Bussie looked back to Thomas. Like many of us, she feels that Thomas gets a bad rap, but she points to a different angle. She gives Thomas credit for being willing to sit with Jesus, wounds and all. Many of us aren't comfortable with woundedness. We don't want to let people talk about their scars. We want to jump ahead to healing and wholeness and resurrection.
Bussie gives Thomas credit for being the most authentic friend to Jesus, the one who is comfortable with the wounds and the scars. Perhaps it is Thomas' response that helps Jesus back to wholeness.
It's an interesting idea, and I wanted to be sure to record it for later.
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