e-vo for week of July 1

Dearest e-votees-

This week is a week full of commemorations of apostles. Monday (June 29) was the day set aside to commemorate St. Peter and St. Paul. Friday (July 3) is the day that is set aside to commemorate St. Thomas. Both of these days have appointed readings in the Revised Common Lectionary like any Sunday. For this week's devotion we will spend some time with the appointed gospel text for the commemoration of St. Thomas.

Peace,
Karl

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Jesus is speaking:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:1-7, NRSV

This text comes out of a powerful portion of the gospel of John and the passion story. Jesus has just finished washing his disciples' feet. Judas has left to betray Jesus. Jesus has given the new commandment that they might love one another. Jesus has revealed that he will lay down his life. Peter promises that he, too, will lay down his life. Jesus tells Peter that denial is what is coming from Peter--at least at this point--not martyrdom.

The text then rolls into the assuring words that Jesus offers. The disciples are troubled that they might be left alone. They are concerned that they won't see Jesus again. They are aware of their failings and their shortcomings. Thomas speaks so clearly for all of us that he really doesn't have it all figured out. Questions still fill his mind and his heart. Questions are probably imbedded in our minds and hearts as well.

This gospel text is a favorite text for use in funerals. At times of funerals we may be troubled that we are left alone (by our loved one and perhaps by God too). We are concerned that we won't be able to see God and God's work through our tears of grief. We are all too keenly aware of our own failings and perhaps those of our deceased loved one. Questions fill our minds and our hearts. Our hearts may be troubled.

Jesus assures his disciples and us that he is the way to God. If we are worried about getting to God we can let go of that worry. Jesus takes us there. Jesus did that corporately on the cross. The veil in the Temple has been torn. We are granted access to God in an unprecedented way because of Jesus' all sufficient work on the cross. Judgment and wrath have been trumped by mercy and sacrifice by one who had the authority to bring either.

Jesus continues to draw us to God individually and also in the communities of faith in which we dwell. Jesus will never forsake us--even though it is hard to see him through our own tears and failings at times. Jesus is the Way and he shows us the way. Jesus is the Truth and his words and teachings continue to bear truth into the falsehoods of this world and our own vain imaginations. Jesus is the Life and his death and resurrection infuse our own mortality with sure resurrection hope. When we commune and when we worship Jesus meets us and draws us to the Father.

Thomas gets way too lousy a reputation as a skeptic and a doubter. Thomas was one deeply in touch with what he needed to believe. How much better if all of us were so self aware and could boldly articulate to God our questions and our stumbling places? God isn't afraid of our doubt. God isn't afraid of our questions. God's heart is troubled when we are too apathetic to express our doubt and ask the questions.


God, thank you for the life and witness of Thomas. Help us untrouble our hearts in the light of your good news. Help us be about the business of untroubling other hearts as you lead us by your Holy Spirit. Amen.