First the women and then the others
boldly proclaim “I have seen the Lord!”
except for the one who missed it

You stepped into their locked-up grief
and spoke Peace to those gathered in pain,
hidden in fear
until You gifted them with Your breath
making them agents of forgiveness,
disciples in the way of peace

Until Thomas returned to cover them in doubt
keeping them under lock and key for another week
he only spoke out loud the need of every follower
who came later,
missing the point
and the resurrection

Thomas, not so much a doubter as a prophet
who provided You with an opportunity
to speak to the hearts of all
would-be followers to come

Your presence and Your Word were enough
Thomas believed without touching
breathing more deeply than ever before
as he walked into the blessing You
breathed out for all whose belief
speaks louder than doubt

Thomas opened the door for us to enter
into relationship with You and
community with one another
proving that being locked away in fear
is not a place to remain in faith
after Peace is spoken
and forgiveness is commissioned
wounds might identify You
revealing Your presence among us
indicating a need for response
calling us out of denial into healing

The time has come to step out of rooms
locked with fear and judgment
breathe deeply of the Holy Spirit
walk in the way of peace
as agents of forgiveness
bringing healing to a wounded world

Thank you, Thomas, for being the missing one
and making your honest prophecy
giving centuries of doubters
entrance into the fullness of life in Christ

RCL – Year A – Second Sunday of Easter – April 27, 2014
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31