I do not believe it!
Thomas wasn’t around when Jesus appeared to the other disciples. Because of this he found it impossible to believe what they said. He needed concrete evidence. He needed to touch and feel and experience it for himself. Jesus did that for him. He came right to him, and gave him what he needed. It was still in post-resurrection, pre-ascension “in-between” days.
It can be hard to feel that we need to see and touch Jesus to be able to believe in him. But he is there. We can know his presence, maybe not in the same physical way, but real all the same.
This is also where one of the other readings for Sunday comes in: how the disciples lived. They shared everything they had – and that was a witness. If people can’t always sees Jesus, they can see his effect. One of the analogies for the Holy Spirit is wind – you can’t see wind, but you can see and feel what it does and therefore know it is there.
The way christians live lets others see and feel Jesus’ presence in the world.
We (well I anyway) have traditionally thought of this sharing of the first christians as being of possessions and money. But sharing is about so much more than that. Sharing our time, our thoughts, our gifts with the community – that they may see and feel Jesus is alive.
You have something very prescious! You are very prescious! Will you share that, that the world might see – and believe?
Pam's Perambulation 