When doubt is expressed as to ability to cope with a task or situation; someone, somewhere will pose the question; "can you handle it?" It's combines challenge and concern in a few words. However, Jesus asks much the same question "handle me and see - I'm real" by way of an invitation to come closer, not a judgement, to floundering Thomas, who was well out of his depth. Are you the kind of person who invites people to draw closer to you with all your strengths and your weaknesses? Or do you tend to keep things at arms length (or further)?
Wider still, are our churches ones that are open and letting people in? No masks, or ridiculous, religious facades that hide our struggles and shortcomings. The early Christians of the first reading sound idyllic and a tad unreal. But every person has battled with the age-old challenges of habit, struggling with life, prayer and raising family.
From our families we learn that letting someone close to you in relationship means being vulnerable. “Vulnerable" as a word comes from "to wound." Sometimes, the one closest, who knows your strengths and weaknesses is the one who knows what to say or do which will wound deepest.
But oh how rare and precious the treasure is the person whose lightest touch to our fevered and restless souls heals. Someone like .... Jesus; "touch me and see."
(Comments to Tom at tomascox@eircom.net )