O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing, ELW 386 v. 1, 5, 6, 7
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
1 O sons and daughters, let us sing with heav'nly hosts to Christ our king: today the grave has lost its sting!
Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
5 When Thomas first the tidings heard, that they had seen the risen Lord, he doubted the disciples' word.
Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
6 "My pierced side, O Thomas, see, and look upon my hands, my feet; not faithless, but believing be."
Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
7 No longer Thomas then denied; he saw the feet, the hands, the side;
"You are my Lord and God!" he cried.
Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Devotion
Poor doubting Thomas. Why does he carry that name through the centuries? Just because he missed going to church on the evening that the risen Jesus showed up? But, yes, he compounded his doubt by not taking his fellow disciples' word at face value at the next gathering, and he laid out his demands to touch the wounds before he would ever believe. We have all done stupid things which we would like to forget. Thomas' words have never been forgotten and they are the Gospel reading every year on Easter 2. Every year!
But we who have our own doubts, most of which we are reluctant to share with others, can find relief hearing Thomas' ordeal again this year because it is our story. That story is always one of Jesus taking Thomas' doubts seriously. He insisted that Thomas touch his wounds, and he did not condemn him. “My pierced side, O Thomas see, and look upon my hands and feet: not faithless, but believing be.” With Thomas we can sing, “You are my Lord and God." Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer
Lord, I come again today with all my doubts and fears showing. Receive me, weak as I am, and give me another chance today to live in the grace of an Easter faith. I am not proud of my doubts, but I am overwhelmed by your gracious acceptance of me. Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Alleluia!