Explore & respond

• Anselm famously wrote: ‘I believe in order that I may understand.’ Often this is seen as a helpful insight into the relationship between faith and reason. Science involves accepting a basic hypothesis – such as the uniformity of nature – in order to investigate phenomena. In a similar vein Susanna Wesley, John and Charles Wesley’s mother, once said: ‘There are two things to do about the gospel – believe and behave it!’ Jesus’ final beatitude in John’s Gospel (v.29) could be addressed to us who come to faith through the witness of Scripture and by the example of those who live it out.
  
  
• When questions and fears torment us we will often seek a safe place where we can hide. Similarly, the disciples sought refuge behind the locked doors of the upper room. However, it was empty of the one presence that would bring them relief and release. Suddenly, Jesus stands among them speaking his word of peace, and resolving their questions by demonstrating that it is really him, risen from the dead. Peace, however, is not a comfort blanket. It is a calling to share and to be that peace to others. What would our church and community be like if we actively worked to be peace sharers in the world, rather than only within the confines of the church building?
  
  
• Every church has its Thomas. Or rather, there are probably times when each one of us, like Thomas, questions our beliefs. How do we respond to those who ask those uncomfortable questions that we are afraid to voice? What pearls might be discovered through these ‘irritants’? How can such questions enrich the Church and help it grow? Some seem to assume that such questioning is always destructive, but is that necessarily so?

Faith operates in a similar way. We rely on the evidence of witnesses, and history, and the Scriptures that bring the stories to us. Those first disciples were convinced – by the resurrection appearances – that Jesus had broken the power of death. Some, such as Thomas, needed more convincing. He was not convinced only by being told; he needed to see for himself. But then, Thomas makes the strongest statement of any of them: ‘My Lord and my God!’

But what about us? We haven’t seen; yet we are here because we believe. Hold up a genuine banknote and a toy one (e.g. Monopoly™). Ask, ‘Which one would you rather have? Why?’ and gather some responses. Read what it says on the front of the banknote: ‘I promise…’ and draw attention to the signature and the bank’s name. As Christians we have to take on trust what those first witnesses believed about Jesus and his resurrection. It is a bit like the banknote – the Gospels tell a story and carry a promise. Some people will not take it immediately at face value. Some of us need to make sure that it is not counterfeit, or based on delusions. Some of us will keep testing it throughout our lives. But that’s all right – after all, the consequences of believing are truly
life-changing.

Ask everyone to turn and face the person next to them; if appropriate, ask them to join hands. Now invite people to sing the chorus to each other.

Continue to sing the chorus, asking people to face or join hands with another person. This can continue for as long as is appropriate.

Finally, ask everyone to sing the chorus a final time, turning to face the walls of the building – as a sign of sharing peace with the world around them. The song can be sung more than once, in each instance; it can also be sung as a round.

To help you prepare and learn the tune of ‘Shalom, my friend’, you can listen to a version on YouTube. There are several variations of the words; those used in this YouTube version are:

"Shalom, my friend. Shalom, my friend. Shalom, shalom.
God’s peace be with you. God’s peace be with you. Shalom, shalom.
Shalom, my friend. Shalom, my friend. Shalom, shalom.
Till we meet again. Till we meet again. Shalom, shalom."

The song can, as in the video clip, be sung as a round.

W E S A

The question card *

Invite people to write questions about faith on sticky notes, and then to put these on a display board. Working together, decide how the various questions might be handled. For example, some might be answered there and then, while others need a considered response, or research. Select a small group to continue to work on this after the service. W E A

The affirmation card *

In advance, prepare a display of items that could be used as symbols of faith (e.g. Bible, hymn book, living plant, photo of the congregation, prayer card, a flyer for a church charity or event). Invite people to choose an item and to say, briefly, why or how it speaks to them about their faith. E S

The peace card *

Light a large candle (or gather round the Easter candle). Sing or listen to the Taizé chant ‘Peace I leave you, my peace I give you’, inviting people to imagine Jesus coming among you now, and saying these words to all present. Encourage people to pray that Jesus will help them to share his peace with others. W E S A

* Each of the activities above is particularly appropriate for those who chose the corresponding card – see Prepare the space. Use all three to give everyone an opportunity to respond; they could be set up as ‘stations’ round the worship space.

Solicitor
(sighs) Not another. (He gets out a notepad.) What is the reason for your… er…?
Thomas
Slander. And libel. On numerous counts.
Solicitor
I see. Do tell all.
Thomas
It's like this. I've been a believer for years. From the very beginning, you could say. But like many others I've had moments of – introspection. Questioning.
Solicitor
Doubt?
Thomas
(agitated) If you insist! But no more than any other believer!
Solicitor
(nods understandingly) Of course, we all have our moments of… (he clears his throat) but… what precisely is your grievance with the church?
Thomas
Due to this single instance of perfectly reasonable – er – reflection, at a point I may add of high tension when many wouldn't even have bothered to ask questions, the Church has saddled me with a name which is inaccurate and deeply hurtful!
Solicitor
And the name to which you refer… ?
Thomas
(reluctantly) Doubting Thomas.

The Solicitor looks at him, surprised, then closes his notebook.

Solicitor
I don't think I'm going to be able to help you. I'm very sorry.
Thomas
(desperately) Why on earth not?
Solicitor
(laughs) Well, honestly! You are Doubting Thomas! I might as well try to rebrand the Blessed Virgin Mary!
Thomas
But it's not fair!
Solicitor
It's not exactly unfair. You said that you wouldn't believe Jesus had been raised from the dead – a central tenet of your faith – until you'd felt the holes in his hands.
Thomas
Sure, I said that! But I didn't, just for the record! I never needed to actually feel the holes in his hands.
Solicitor
Nevertheless, you said it.
Thomas
Only because I wasn't there! The others were all there, they all saw him – do you think they'd have believed it otherwise?
Solicitor
(shrugs) You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm sorry, that happens, and dirt tends to stick.
Thomas
Does it? So how come the other disciples get off so lightly? Why does Peter get to be 'the rock' when he could have been 'Cock Crow Pete'? What about John, always wanting to know who was going to be the most important in heaven, why does he get to refer to himself as 'the one Jesus loved' when he should be 'self-important John'? And Mary Magdalene, thinking Jesus was the gardener! How about 'Mary Mary quite contrary how does your gar…'
Solicitor
(interrupting) I get the point. I'm afraid yours is the flaw that seems to have gone down in history. What else are we supposed to call you? Do you have any other names?
Thomas
Well, there's Didymus, but only my Mother calls me Didymus. And… er… Judas Thomas, but Judas hasn't been quite such a hot name recently. (pause) I was thinking of… Handsome Thomas.

The solicitor laughs.

Thomas
(angrily) I deserve it, don't I? For having been so badly treated all these years? It's not like I was a bad disciple! Quite the opposite! When Jesus decided to go back to Judea where they'd tried to stone him once before, who was it who said 'let us also go that we might die with him'? It was me! Can't I be Thomas the Martyr?
Solicitor
Already taken, sorry.
Thomas
When I saw Jesus I exclaimed 'my Lord and my God', so some call me Thomas the believer – can't I make that name, you know, more official?
Solicitor
It's just not catchy, is it?
Thomas
But look, I did nothing wrong! I believed, I was brave, I followed Jesus and when he returned, sure I had a slight lapse but once I dealt with my disbelief I was a brilliant disciple!
Solicitor
Yes, I…
Thomas
I ought to be a role model! I'm a saint, aren't I?
Solicitor
I know that, but…
Thomas
I deserve a name that Christians can look at and see as an example, an encouragement, something that encapsulates who they are!
Solicitor
You're absolutely right. (He scribbles something on his notebook then tears out the page and hands it to Thomas.) I wonder if this name might be just the thing to act as a lasting encouragement to the Church with all its difficulties and tribulations. With this name you could be their greatest figure of hope.

The Solicitor exits and Thomas beams in his direction.

Thomas
Really? Thanks! Thank you so much! That's fantastic! (He reads the note, then looks up again in surprise.) Hang on, this says 'Doubting Thomas'! That's what I…

He falters, then walks away thoughtfully.