Cognitive Dissonance

When I showed this painting to some friends they commented that the people look "sad."  I suppose sadness is part of it. But it's also anxiety, doubt, confusion, and hope and joy mixed with a little fear and cognitive dissonance.

 It's Thomas (so-called "Doubting Thomas") and it's me, sometimes.  

Our Lord and God, forgive the doubting heart in each of us, which questions your resurrection.  We are men [and women] of our age and want to see and touch before we believe.  And yet we thank you for that blessing, reserved for those who do not see and yet believe.  Grant us that faith which looks to Jesus, risen from the dead, our Savior and our living Lord.  Amen. [i]

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A prayer found in the book Prayers for Today’s Church ed. Dick Williams,
Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, MN 1977.  * I added “and women” to make it more today…