Scripture Scribbles: April 24, 2022

the Gospel

Jn 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week,

when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,

for fear of the Jews,

Jesus came and stood in their midst

and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

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.”

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,

“Receive the Holy Spirit.

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,

and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,

was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples said to 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 into the nailmarks

and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside

and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked,

and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,

and bring your hand and put it into my side,

and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples

that are not written in this book.

But these are written that you may come to believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

the devotion

As I read today’s Gospel in light of Divine Mercy Sunday, and the many conversion stories we have heard together on the podcast, I am struck by something that has never hit me before. I think the Holy Spirit is up to something.

Christ comes back for Thomas.

Thomas is not there at the first gathering. The disciples tell Him about their own encounter with the Lord. But he does not believe them.

How do you think that made the disciples feel?

I can feel the Holy Spirit asking me to pay attention here. The disciples shared their testimony with Thomas, but when Thomas doesn’t believe them we do not hear that they get upset, or that they blame Thomas, or that they become frustrated with God. Couldn’t you see them asking: Why didn’t He wait until we were all together?

Instead, we learn that one week later the Lord provides exactly what Thomas needs in the exact way that Thomas needs it. The disciples waited and trusted. And the Lord provided.

Not only did the Lord provide it, He provided it in such a way that Thomas came to believe and grow even deeper in relationship with Him by it.

Christ came back for Thomas, and repeats exactly what Thomas said — seemingly not in His presence — back to Him. He proves that He is with them always, that He knows their every thought, every word, cares about their every decision.

He knows you, friend. He knows your loved ones. He knows intimately what they need to come closer to Him.

Let us learn from the disciples today: When given the opportunity, be a witness to the ways we have encountered the Lord. But also, wait and trust that the Lord will provide the way and means necessary to bring those we love into deeper relationship with Him.

And let us learn from the Lord today: He will come back for us. He always comes to us first. He knows us intimately, and loves each one of us immensely. He knows what we need to grow in the relationship with Him. And He knows what our loved ones need.

St. Thomas, pray for us today to grow in trust and faith in the Lord. Pray for us to be a witness to the ways we have encountered the Lord in our lives. And pray for us to have trust and patience in the Lord in the time between our own encounters and the encounters of our loved ones.

Lord, we know that you know exactly what we need. You hear, see, and understand every intimate detail of our hearts, minds, actions, and decisions. Help us to trust you with those we love. Amen.

Today’s devotion is written by Rachel Smith.