Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday, April 7, 2024.
In my message today, I invite us to explore the transformative journey of the disciple Thomas in John’s Gospel, examining the tension between doubt and faith. Through Thomas’s loyalty amidst uncertainty and his profound encounter with Jesus after expressing doubt, we witnessed the power of belief to transform skepticism into centred faith, inspiring us to prioritize our relationship with God and embrace doubt as a path to deeper faith.
Today’s Opening Sentence
Have you believed, Thomas, because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. – John 20.29
Today’s Reading – John 20:19–31
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.1
Your Online Message and Prayers
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Reflection questions for the week:
- Reflecting on Thomas’s journey from doubt to belief, can you identify moments in your own life where you’ve grappled with doubt or uncertainty about your faith? How did those experiences shape your relationship with God?
- Consider the significance of Jesus’s invitation to Thomas to touch his wounds and believe. What wounds or struggles in your life do you need to bring to Jesus for healing and transformation? How might experiencing Jesus’s presence in those areas deepen your faith?
- Think about the concept of putting God at the centre of your life. What practical steps can you take to prioritize your relationship with God amidst the busyness of daily life? How might incorporating daily reminders of God’s presence strengthen your faith?
- Reflect on the relational aspect of belief highlighted in John’s Gospel. How does your understanding of belief as a dynamic relationship with God through Christ influence the way you approach your faith journey? In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of connection with God in your daily life?
A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.
Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.
Find out how you can support our ministry and good work in the community here.
God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!
Peace,
The Rev’d Canon Rob Park
- Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.