THE GOSPEL
John 20:19-31Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Thomas,
was indignant.
He did not rejoice.
So,
he was
imperfect,
in need of mercy
(as are we,
O Lord).
You love us
in our struggles.
Please,
breathe your life into our flawed selves.
Let us find your grace and mercy
as we touch the wounds
of your children
everywhere.
THE FIRST READING
Acts 5:12-16
They carried their sick out into the street
so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow
might fall on one or another of them.
God,
through us, even,
you try to heal people and
bring them
home.
Use our hands, our feet, our words, our breath,
our shadows––as you used Peter’s
––anything you can find in us,
to help fill the world
with healing
and your
grace.
THE SECOND READING
Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
He touched me with his right hand and said, “Do not be afraid.”
Dear Lord,
you know our distresses:
the planet, injustices, Ukraine, Gaza.
These and more, desperate for your healing.
You say that because of you, death has no power.
Alright, we fall down before you in worship.
Please touch us our world, and tell us
“Do not be afraid.”