Look Again: Thomas

Let’s look again at the artwork depicting Thomas for this week from Lauren Wright Pittman of A Sanctified Art.

Take a few moments to gaze upon the artwork (below). Breathe deeply in quiet meditation as you observe the visual qualities of what you see: color, line, texture, movement, shape, form.

Now take a deeper look. What parts of the image are your eyes most drawn to? What parts of the image did you overlook?

Now engage your imagination. What story do you imagine for the figure you see in the artwork?

This week, I have invited you to set aside the notion of “Doubting Thomas” and pick up the idea of “Demanding Thomas” or even “Grieving Thomas.” What does this artwork say to you about the different ways we might view Thomas?

Read Thomas’s story again from John 20:24-29

What has unraveled and/or is unraveling in this story?

Why is Thomas isolated from the other disciples when Jesus appears? Where is he? What is he doing and why?

In verses 21 and 26, the Greek word for “peace” is eirene, stemming from the verb, eiro, which means to join or bind together that which has been separated. How does this definition for peace impact your reading of this story? What is being bound together?

Thomas seeks tangibility to bolster his faith. Belief is shaped by lived experience. Take some time to write and reflect on a moment or memory when you have tangibly experienced God through sight, touch, or sound.

Pray

God,
When I am unraveled by brokenness, breathe your peace into my lungs so I might feel and know you are near.
Amen.

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.