Exploring Thomas

Over the years, we’ve spent some time in this space practicing Lectio Divina, the slow reading of Scripture. Today, I thought we might spend some time practicing Visio Divina. This is where we contemplate an image and see what the Holy Spirit might be showing us. The image I want to look at is this painting from Caravaggio called The Incredulity of Saint Thomas.

Take a few minutes and look at this painting. What do you notice? What stands out to you? 

If you’d like, spend a minute reading this passage from John about this scene and pay attention to what you notice in your body as you read these words. 

John 20:24-29 (NLT)

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” 

I invite you to spend a few more minutes looking at the image. Do you notice anything new? Are you surprised by anything?

One thing that stood out to me when recently reflecting on this image was Thomas’s fingernails. They appear to be pretty dirty. It got me thinking about how it would have been quite unsanitary for Thomas to stick his fingers in Jesus’s wounds, but Jesus seems unbothered by any of that. He simply invites Thomas to come as he is, to know he is loved even in his wrestling.

What has felt significant for you as you’ve spent time with these words and this image? What might you continue to ponder as you think about this image in the days to come?

Let me know if you enjoyed this Visio Divina. Maybe we’ll do it again sometime. 


~  Melissa