Thomas Sunday (Eastertide, 2): Be believing

Today is the final day in the liturgical week known as the Easter Octave, but the celebration continues with a seven-week festival called The Great Fifty Days or Eastertide. We are celebrating by visiting our kids and friends in Texas! I'll be back by next Sunday, so stay tuned for a variety of celebratory posts here on the blog!

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio (source)

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio (source)

 
Later on

that day / the dark room

was enough

to concoct buttoned down,

in our minds.



While we lingered bolted-in,

shut-up / You

breezed past barricade as One

hole-pocked / exhaled

absolution, a hot gust

peace be with you;

materialized new —

as Yourself / awake & alive

after the woman’s claim

you spoke her name.



Afraid / our fingers

traced your split side

’til we inhaled

Your closer breathing,

our truer air.
— "Be Believing/John 20:19-30" (I wrote this poem a few years ago, inspired by the form Luci Shaw used in her poem, "Ascending.")

Today's readings: Acts 2:14a, 22-32, Psalm 16 , 1 Peter 1:3-9,  John 20:19-31

The Collect for the Second Sunday of Easter:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
— Book of Common Prayer