Church of the
Annunciation

On the first day of the week the disciples are huddled together behind locked doors caught in their fears, regrets and disbelief. The fears are real. Will they be arrested and crucified like Jesus? The regrets are many: one betrayed, one denied and the others abandoned Jesus in his last hour of humiliation. How can they believe in Jesus and embrace his life after his horrible death. But the Risen Lord appears and says: “Peace be with you.” Jesus then breathes on them and commissions them to forgive. Thomas is missing. He refuses to believe. Jesus appears again and bids Thomas to examine his wounds. The doubt and confusion are replaced with a great expression of faith: “My Lord and my God.” The first word of Jesus after his resurrection is “peace” and, after breathing the Spirit, the first gift is God’s mercy. Jesus is showing the disciples the way to begin again. Jesus even permits doubting Thomas to touch his wounds. Acknowledging their fear, regret and disbelief and healing their brokenness Jesus entrusts the  ministry of reconciliation to his disciples. Thomas has a twin. We are spiritually kin to him when we live the last beatitude: “Blessed are they who have not seen and believe.”