For Those Who Yearn *
Thomas, the Apostle to India
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then 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." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told 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 in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:19-31
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas
CARAVAGGIO, Michelangelo Merisi da
Neues Palais (Sanssouci Park)
Potsdam
Germany
"Caravaggio offers us a profound theology
of innocence through the Beauty of his art. Known for his gritty realism,
Caravaggio has Jesus grasping the hand of the apostle Thomas and thrusting it
deep within the wound at his side, powerfully aligning Jesus' and St.
Thomas" hands to form a lance. St. Thomas" face expresses profound
surprise as his finger thrusts deep into Jesus' wound. Perhaps, the surprise
has to do with his unbelief. It could also be surprise at the realization that
he, too, is also pierced. Indeed, St. Thomas appears to clutch his side as if
he becomes aware of a wound at his side as well. And we who wince at this
gritty depiction feel a wound at our side as well." (Aponte, 104)
Doubt isn’t the opposite of faith;
it is an element of faith.
~ Paul Tillich
The most potent actions are often done
without forethought of publicity.
They are sincere and uncalculating,
touching us with a kind of naiveté.
Ask yourself, which is more inspiring:
to accidentally witness a touching act of
generosity, or
to watch the same act staged to become a
spectacle?
~ Charles Eisenstein
http://www.heartfulnessmagazine.com/scale-story-interbeing/
Susan Fitzwilson and Cindy Sahli added their flowers to the
cross on Easter Sunday.
Each person received a flower as they arrived to place on the
cross.
Breakfast was served before the service and Misty the Hen
greeted people as they arrived.
Easter Sunday Brunch
at the Bistro in Marshdale
(Table decorations by Kimra)
Brenda Jansen, Marsha Manning, Bill Manning, Randy Sackerson,
Kimra Perkins, Gail Sharp
First spring butterfly
startles and delights
despite our expectations.
Evidence everywhere of
mystery, paradox, miracle,
laments of commonness
growing blindness.
And still each morning
hope for new eyes,
forgiveness in action
love in service
life in death
becoming each day
resurrected together.
Poem, Kimra Perkins, Easter, 2018
Butterfly Image, Randall Sackerson
A lovely Easter Centerpiece at Anne and Mark Vickstrom’s
Easter gathering.
Anne and Mark Vickstrom (and Norman)
Mark brought us all together for warm Easter musings.
(He had to shovel the deck that morning;
you can still see snow at his feet.)
Kimra Perkins in her Easter bonnet.
Pat Rucker and Terrey Harrod showing two of Joyce Shelton’s
wonderful paintings at Painted Toe on Monday.
120 for $120
Opening Reception
Center for the Arts Evergreen
Friday, April 6, 2018
Carol Dobbs, Rome Chelsi
Happy Belated 91st Birthday, JACKIE!
CV had a lovely luncheon for Jackie on Saturday (today).
Clockwise around the table:
Kathy Gaines, Lori Williamson, Carolyn (CV) Martyn, Linda
Bradford,
Carolyn Alexander, Nancy Priest, Jackie McFarland
(Photo by Jill McFarland)
Wonderful food … and
so gracefully served!
God will not look you over for medals,
degrees, or diplomas
but for scars.
~ Elbert Hubbard
April 8, 2018 Second
Sunday of Easter Year B
* See “For Those Who Yearn,” by Debie
Thomas - https://www.journeywithjesus.net/lectionary-essays/current-essay
Agnus Day, by
James Wetzstein
Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org
Vicki Lynn Hall
went to Heaven one year ago today.
A CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE
Vicki’s tombstone has been set in the family plot in Monett,
Missouri.
Her nephew, Charles Rose, along with his two sons and Vicki’s
friend, Alice Helmkamp,
will place half of her ashes there next Sunday.
Vicki’s last Selfie
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31