Grieving Thomas

I hope you were able to join us online or outdoors for Sunday Worship on August 9th as we kicked off our new series Unraveled! We began with a story of unraveling from scripture about Thomas. If you missed it, check i tout here.

I shared with you that I think the nickname “Doubting Thomas” is an unfair characterization of Thomas faith and journey. Scripture does not say Thomas DID NOT believe. Rather, scripture says Thomas WILL NOT believe UNLESS he has an experience of the risen Jesus himself. And I think that is both truthful and honest and bold and brave. Thomas is no doubter. Thomas is a demander! He demands and experience with Jesus!

As we try to set aside the idea of Thomas as a Doubter and follow him by boldly demanding our own experience with Jesus, I invite you to reflect upon the image for this week created by Lauren Wright Pittman of A Sanctified Art. And after reflection, read Lauren’s words describing the image she created and her take on the story of Thomas.

By Lauren Wright Pittman, from A Sanctified Art
Based on John 20:19-29

When the unimaginable happens, we can find ourselves drowning in doubt. We flail, reaching for something to bolster our faith in a sovereign, living God. Here we see Thomas needing tangibility: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Thomas has just experienced the death of his teacher, close companion, and the long-awaited Messiah. Reeling in grief, Thomas needs a buoy to keep him afloat. Jesus offers Thomas peace, meeting him where he is instead of offering condemnation or a condescending nickname. He welcomes Thomas to do what he needs to find footing, but we aren’t told that Thomas actually acts upon the invitation. Instead, he says, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas is separated from Christ in death and all he asks is to be close to him again. Instead of poking Christ’s wounds in doubt, he reclaims relationship with Jesus.

When I visited India, I learned of “St. Thomas Christians.” It is said that during Thomas’ extensive travels he began several churches in southern India. To this day people proudly identify with his name. These Indian Christians do not define Thomas by his doubt; they define their own faith by his ministry. They know Christ because of Thomas. Thomas moved forward from that place of doubt, and his impact stretched to the far
southern tip of India.

I chose to depict Thomas rubbing his eyes as he awakens from his grief to the reality that Christ has not left him. Lotus flowers (a symbol for India) swirl around his head in the waters that image the depth of his mourning. His ministry blooms out of this raw, authentic moment of appropriate doubt.

This week at Hood

• Wednesday, August 12th, 12 noon Prayer & Inspiration in the Fellowship Hall or on Free Conference Call 563-999-1222 or join.freeconferencecall.com/hoodchurch
• Thursday, August 13th, 10:00 am Ladles of Love Meal Delivery
• Friday, August 14th, 12 noon Prayer Call, Free Conference Call 563-999-1222 or join.freeconferencecall.com/hoodchurch
• Sunday, August 16th, 9:30 am Worship: “Unraveled”

Upcoming Events

• Friday, August 21st, Movie Night with the City of Dunn at Tart Park (more details TBA)
• Saturday, August 22nd, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Drive-thru Job Fair, in the parking lot of Hood Memorial, sponsored by Atwork Personnel Knightdale
• Tuesday, August 25th, Hood Memorial volunteers at DUMA Food Pantry 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Mark your calendar: we need lots of volunteers.