Every year on the Sunday after Easter, the gospel reading is the story of Thomas, the disciple, who insists on seeing the scars of the risen Jesus in order to believe (John 19:19-31). The encounter, which takes place the week after the first sightings of the risen Christ, reminds us that Easter unfolds over a season and is more than just the celebration of a day. It shows all of us who ask questions, who face doubts and uncertainties in our life of faith, that there is a place for us in the good news of Jesus!

Thomas insisted not just on seeing evidence of Jesus suffering and death, but also on touching the wounds, the signs of wear and tear and human frailty on the risen body of Jesus. Thomas understood that the wounds and scars on Jesus’ hands and feet and sides were more than just a mark. They were the signs that Thomas longed to see of pain experienced and conquered . . . of healing balm offered . . . of death defeated once and for all.

Much has been made over the past week of the humility and pastoral care that was visible in Pope Francis. A Lutheran pastor, Katie Hines-Shaw, connected Pope Francis to this story of Thomas. “Like Thomas, Francis could only believe in a risen Christ who was wounded — and he could only respond to that woundedness by touching it himself. Francis knew that we find Christ in the poor, the forgotten, the imprisoned, and the abused and we meet him by touching [and healing] these wounds.” (Facebook post, April 21, 2025)

Jesus calls us to share our wounds and scars with one another as well — to embrace the vulnerability of our own flesh and blood existence. To allow the flesh and blood existence of the people around us to touch our hearts. To take in all this fragility and vulnerability not with contempt, but with compassion and mercy. To offer our love and service . . . as Christ has loved and served us. This is not the work of a day . . . or even a season. . . but the call of a lifetime.

And when we see the wounds of the world around us, when we dare to touch them . . . the peace the risen Christ offers, comes near.

Christ is risen!

Christ is risen, indeed! Alleulia!