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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This past Spring two members of St. Michael’s approached me about a project they had in mind. This couple had been working on the grounds around the physical plant and were wondering about all the open space located beyond the paved parking lot and the surrounding residential homes behind the parish hall. Having cleared the property line of brush and other growth, they wanted to know if it might be possible to put in a summer vegetable garden.
I took their request to the very next Vestry meeting and after discussion they approved the idea. What emerged in the discussion was the position that, as long as there were volunteers to maintain the garden, all produce would be available to anyone and everyone whether or not he or she was a member of the congregation or not.
Well, volunteers stepped forward. After tilling the soil, a real task since the location had once been part of a gravel parking lot, preparing the soil, the vegetables were planted and continued to be watered by hand.
It is such a joy to see cars pulling into the area and persons getting out to inspect the results. It is especially rewarding when persons not affiliated with St. Michael’s avail themselves to this project.
Scripture says they we are to “feed the hungry” and in one very small way St. Michael’s is fulfilling this demand. This vegetable garden is truly “Summer Manna.”