Biblical Limericks: The Twin

Thomas Didymus is called “the Twin”
but to our continued deep chagrin
his sibling is never
identified, ever;
still there’s a lot of speculatin’

John 11: 16, 20: 24, 21: 2

Eastertide

from closed tomb
to locked room,
Jesus breaks out and in

“do not cling” he says,
then, “take my hand;
touch my side”

receive and believe;
forgive and rejoice
live

(John 20)

Biblical Limericks - Two from John

Whose Twin?

Now here is a curiosity:
in the Gospel of John we can see
that Thomas was called “Twin,”
but we’re left wonderin’ -
should we try to guess?  Whose twin was he?

John 20:24

I’ll Believe it Then

Now Thomas, the one they called “the Twin,”
said, “not ‘til I can put my hand in
the wound in my Lord’s side
will I my faith confide;
let me do that, I’ll believe it then.”

John 20: 25

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]

---

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…

Ouuuuuch

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and E.T. was with them; then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said Peace be unto you.
Then saith he to E.T., Reach hither thy hand, and behold my hands; reach hither thy finger, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And E.T. answered and said unto him, Ouuuuch.