John 20:19-31 was the reading set for 19^th April.  It is the story of Thomas, famous for his doubting.  I always feel rather sorry for him that this reputation has stuck throughout history.  After all, given the events of the weeks leading up to this story, I think Thomas can be forgiven for wanting something certain to hold on.  We too may well have had doubts in the midst of the fears that meant the disciples were behind closed doors.

Again, I find myself seeing so much that is relevant to where we find ourselves at present.  We too are living behind closed doors and many feel afraid.  Finding tangible things that we can hold on to in this is important. 

We’ve seen so much of that throughout Holy Week and on Easter Day as Christians have found new ways to express their faith and proclaim Christ as risen.  One that came to me was a poem sent by one of our friends from Henlow.  The poem included a reminder that Easter reaches beyond any constraints of our present time noting that even though our churches were empty on Easter Day, so was the tomb.

That empty tomb means we have new life, life that COVID-19 and all the fears surrounding it can not take away from us.  Life that means we can hear the words of peace Jesus offers even as turmoil surrounds us.  Life that means we can say with Thomas ‘My Lord and my God’.

The reading from John concludes: ‘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.’

This Easter Season then, may we all know life in his name.

Living God, help us in these times of uncertainty to know the peace and life that you offer.  We continue to pray for all those affected by COVID-19 in any way and thank you that even when we are fearful and locked away, you are there speaking words of hope and peace.  Amen