S2, E3 - The Resurrection Decade Meditation

The mission of the Ponder and Magnify Podcast is to seek an encounter with Jesus through praying the rosary, relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary. In this episode, listeners are invited to pray with their imaginations through a decade meditation on the account of the Resurrection from John 20: 24-29. Praise be to God!

Transcript

Jessica: 0:05

Hello and welcome to the Ponder and Magnify podcast, where our mission is to seek an encounter with Jesus through praying the Rosary, relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary. I am so happy that you are here. In this episode we'll have a meditation on Jesus' resurrection as we pray a decade of the rosary. It was so hard to pick just one of Jesus' resurrection appearances to focus on, but the interaction between Jesus and the Apostle Thomas in John's gospel was just really speaking to me. Just a little background on the scripture passage that we'll be praying with is that this story takes place at some point in the days following Easter morning where Jesus resurrected. Jesus started appearing to many different people at different times and places and at the point of our gospel passage that we'll focus on, Jesus had appeared to the apostles when everyone except Thomas was there, so all of the apostles had been gathered except Thomas, and Thomas had a really hard time accepting this. Then, a week later, Jesus appeared again to the apostles, this time with Thomas there, and Jesus is so intentional about going to Thomas. It's really Jesus's intentionality with him that just gets me in the heart. So I'm really excited to dive into this together. Before we start, let's pause and reflect on what we're bringing to prayer. What are your joys in this moment? What sorrows are you feeling right now? Do you have any fears in this moment? What are you desiring? Who do you wish to pray for? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen, Jesus, we ask you to speak directly into our circumstances. Mary, thank you for praying with us and for us now. Holy Spirit, please anoint the gift of our imagination so that we might come to encounter Jesus more deeply through it. The first glorious mystery is Jesus' resurrection. A reading from the Gospel of John. Thomas, called Didymus, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, " Now, a week later, his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said Peace, be with you. Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands and bring your hand and put it into my side and do not be unbelieving, but believe. Thomas answered and said to him, "my Lord and my God. Jesus said to him have you come to believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen. All of his friends came to Thomas saying to him together we have seen the Lord.

Jessica: 4:12

After the crucifixion, this news should have spoken peace and joy to Thomas' heart. Instead, thomas responded, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Clearly, this news either hit or created a hurting place in Thomas' heart. Hail Mary full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Jessica: 4:46

Perhaps part of Thomas' faith in Jesus and the Father's plan had faded with the trauma of the crucifixion and it felt like too much to put the effort in to reclaim it. Maybe it was easier for Thomas to deny Jesus' appearance than to put the effort into grappling with all that had occurred. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen.

Jessica: 5:20

Perhaps part of Thomas' heart was confused that Jesus could have appeared when he was not there. Hadn't he and Jesus been good friends? Had he misread his and Jesus' friendship this whole time? Maybe it was easier for Thomas to deny Jesus' appearance than to face this confusion. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen.

Jessica: 5:55

Perhaps part of Thomas's heart was afraid that if Jesus appeared without him present, it was because of some lack in himself. Was he not as good as the other apostles? Why did he not get the same treatment? Maybe it was easier for Thomas to deny Jesus' appearance so he could avoid a spiral of self-doubt. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, amen.

Jessica: 6:33

Perhaps Thomas refused to believe Jesus had been seen because he was guarding his heart from further disappointment. If Jesus had actually appeared, maybe he could also be lost again. Perhaps Thomas' disbelief was an attempt at self-protection. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, amen.

Jessica: 7:09

After a whole week passed, Jesus made another appearance, with Thomas' state clearly weighing heavily on his Sacred Heart. It seemed almost as if Jesus showed up just for Thomas, as if Jesus could not bear to let Thomas continue on as he was, for it caused such pain to Jesus. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, amen.

Jessica: 7:44

Perhaps Thomas wanted an explanation of all that had happened, but Jesus offered no explanation to Thomas. Instead, Jesus gave Thomas something far greater, a tangible sign of his love. Thomas had said that he would need to put his fingers in Jesus' nail marks and side to believe, and Jesus invited him to it: "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it to my side. It was as if Jesus was saying to Thomas see that it is me and remember how much I love you. Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Jessica: 8:39

Thomas gave Jesus a chance and listened to his direction, despite all he was feeling. In touching Jesus' wounds, Thomas recognized Jesus and knew His power and love again. In touching Jesus' wounds, Thomas' feelings of fear and confusion were resolved. At the same time, Jesus was consoled and filled with such joy by experiencing Thomas' restoration and renewal. Hail Mary full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. "my Lord and my God. Thomas exclaimed. Thomas was consoled, not by an explanation he thought he was owed by Jesus, but by Jesus meeting him exactly where he was and allowing himself to be known. Thomas was not forgotten, as he had been tempted to believe. Thomas was known and loved. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Jessica: 10:14

Thomas is often characterized by his doubt or disbelief, often referred to as doubting Thomas.

Jessica: 10:20

What if, instead, we saw Thomas as the one whom Jesus pursued?

Jessica: 10:22

Jesus met Thomas exactly as he was, with exactly what he needed, eager to remind Thomas of how deeply he was loved and known, and Thomas heard Jesus out and accepted the invitation to be loved.

Jessica: 10:38

In doing so, Thomas experienced the freedom and joy that the Lord had desired for him all along. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Jessica: 10:55

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen, o my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Hail, holy Queen, mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious, advocate thine eyes of mercy toward us and, after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, o clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary, pray for us, o Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen. It is such a gift to pray with you. Please count on our continued prayers and please, please pray for us. Praise be to God.