Invitation — 1 Corinthians 15:57
"Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 73:1-3, 21-26
Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked...
When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Bible Reading — John 20:24-29
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again slowly ... find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart ... slowly repeat it ... pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation ... enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior.
Free Prayer
- for our role as caretakers of creation
- for wise stewardship of our physical resources
- for our personal commitment to care for creation
Prayer — CD 3/4.14
Father of mercies, like Thomas, I offer you my often skeptical and stumbling heart. And like him, I depend on you to give the gift of faith. Though I do not touch your wounds, let your Word and sacraments be faith's sense of touch, which will quench my doubt and stir my faith. Amen.
Blessing — John 20:29
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."