Jesus nailed it for us. Literally. In today’s Gospel of John, we read that his disciples are locked away in the upper room for fear when Jesus shows up and shows all. He extends his nail-wounded hands and bids his friends to touch them. He is Risen and they are in complete disbelief, followed by overwhelming joy. The One who has revealed to us what great depths God will go to prove Love wins stands among the fear-filled friends and restores them to Life.

Thomas, poor Thomas, is not there. He often is criticized for this and yet when he sees Jesus, he proclaims his true identity: My Lord and my God. He is the one who recognizes that Jesus did nail it. His wounds are proof of that. We too are asked to step beyond our disbelief and proclaim Jesus is Lord. We are the ones that Jesus speaks of who much believe without seeing the glory of the Risen Lord. Yet every day we have a chance to see that glory in everyone and everything around us. We can reach out and touch the wounded person. We can see the healing that happens. We can say My Lord and my God when we know that the Holy stands before us. Shake off your fears.  Come out of your rooms. There is much work to be done and Jesus is saying peace, reach out.