Touch The Wounds

When Thomas grappled with his suspicion

He didn’t need a pastor, a prophet, or a bible technician

He didn’t want someone to explain that it was written. 

He wanted….

No…

He needed…. 

to touch the wounds of Christ.

Was he just making a fuss? 

It seems a bit extreme, don’t you think?

Yet, when the Resurrected One stood before him,

He said yes - why don’t you…..

Touch these wounds, and believe.

Why not a hug, Lord?

Why not bread broken, or hands held?

Why not laughter over tea, to ease the agony of unbelief?

Maybe, just maybe….

because Resurrection holds -

It holds within itself a world that is alive, yet oozing.

It holds the unstitched, the unhealed, and the undone.

Within a Body that is miraculous, alive, and beautiful.

I, too, have been raised to life again,

even though my wounds still throb.

The Church I weep for, the city I love, the nation bleeding out -

It all beats with resurrection life

While holding in its frame these open sores.

“Put your hand here,” You said.

Inside the pain,

Feel the affliction.

Don’t stand back,

Critiquing from a distance

enter the sorrow,

touch the place where Love ripped open.

Touch the wounds—and your eyes will open to the Risen Christ.

Touch the wounds of others, touch the wounds of your city, touch the wounds of the world,” He says, “and you will find ME, you will see ME, and you will believe.”

In a world raw with anger,

aching with hunger,

scarred by injustice….

Still, He whispers:

“Resurrection holds - so touch the wounds.”