2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER
photographer Eimear McGuinness
A quieter day, the day we call ‘Low Sunday’ but Easter glory still fills the air. Behind closed doors, the disciples are dazed and dispirited, leaderless, confused. Then Jesus appears, but Thomas is not there. An annual reminder here of the power and importance of staying and praying with the community. We absent ourselves from the community gathering at a cost. Eight days later Thomas is present with the other disciples and in their midst He encounters the risen Lord. There his questions are answered, his fears are calmed and his life is changed forever. The doubting disciple is moved to utter, in five short words, the most profound profession of faith in the entire Gospel: ‘My Lord and my God’. He will now become one of the faithful and fearless foundation stones of the fledgling Church. Thomas recognises Jesus in His hands. The story of our lives is etched on our hands. The fruits of caring, giving and loving are there for the world to see. Jesus’ love for us led Him to the Cross and when Thomas saw the hands, he remembered, he understood and he believed