Hopes dashed. Options reduced. Plans and fantasies dismantled. Depression. Loneliness. Frustration. Anger. Desperation. Isolation. All because a man died upon a cross on a lonely hill outside of Jerusalem.
Although I’m forced to conjecture upon the situation in which Thomas found himself, since we are not told why he was not with the other apostles when Christ appeared the first time to them, I sense that I am probably not far awry about the feelings Thomas must have been experiencing during those agonizing days following the crucifixion of Jesus. Thomas, the apostle who offers to die with Jesus on His way to Bethany (John 11:16). Thomas, the apostle who interrupted the last discourse with his question “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”(John 14.5). Thomas, the apostle who doubted the Resurrection unless he were to touch the wounds of the Risen Lord (John 20:25-28). Thomas, the apostle who, after Christ’s appearance, confesses his faith in the words”My Lord and my God” and is thus the first to confess explicitly Jesus’ Divinity following His death and resurrection. Thomas, the apostle whose confession of faith is saliently recited by Catholic and Anglo-Catholic worshipers throughout the world during the elevation of the elements during the prayer of consecration of the Holy Eucharist. Thomas, the apostle who may guide us to a deeper understanding of our faith response in times of crisis as well as celebration.
I believe that although our times are different from the 1st century disciples and followers of Christ, the people are the same and so is the loving message of God. We are living in a very different time than Thomas. I suppose many of us would think we therefore are quite different. But, are we really?
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In my previous posts dealing with various aspects of Holy Baptism, both theological and pastoral [See: Holy Baptism: The Salt of Baptism, New Baptismal Theology? Adult Baptism, Holy Baptism: An Adult Respected and We Receive You], I have based my comments and understandings on what I understand as my theology of Holy Baptism. However, there are times when it is necessary to throw all the theological understandings and arguments out the window! But, I firmly believe that this should only be done for sound pastoral reasons.
During my years in Clinical Pastoral Education in a medical setting many situations arose which challenge a chaplain’s theology. As I have mentioned before, Clinical Pastoral Education has as a very basic principle the utilization of the “living human document” as the primary teaching tool in the development of pastoral skills and the providing of pastoral care. The “living human document” is the person being ministered to as well as the person offering pastoral ministry. And it is in the interaction of the minister and the layperson that pastoral care is defined, exercised and communicated.
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I reader recently passed along a short video clip in response to the posts regarding baptism. I just could not miss the opportunity to share the clip with you.
Be sure to watch out for the second child being baptized. He is a hoot!