Thomas was the first disciple to touch Jesus's wounds. He wanted empirical proof that Jesus was truly alive. He wanted to see the wounds that the nails made and the wound in his side. Yet when he was confronted with the reality of Jesus' presence he held back and it was Jesus who took his hand and put it into his side. This is a time when Thomas moved from just observing what was happening to an experience which took him to the heart of the matter. In fact, by placing his hand in Jesus' side he was actually able to feel the living heart.
In our lives too we encounter the living heart of Jesus often in places where we discover that we may be called to touch the lives of people who have been deeply wounded. This is especially true when we not only see the physical wounds but also experience the deep psychological or spiritual wounds that people carry in there own bodies. We know for people living with mental illness or trauma that these wounds are not immediately visible but still affect a person's life significantly. As people who walk alongside them, we need to be able to be present to them. There is a sense in which our physical presence can say more than words when we reach out and meet them where they are. Even when we are afraid and uncertain about what to say or what to do. By being present we allow the Gospel to touch us deeply with the words that Jesus often says to his disciples, "Peace be with you." It is from this place of apparent fear that we can touch the wounds of Jesus and find our lives transformed. Easter is a journey where we are called to allow Jesus to meet us in places where we often fear to tread and discover a person transform our fear with his presence. This is not just a healing touch but an encounter with a real person who shows us what it means to be fully human and fully alive.
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