Thomas the Movement Skeptic--John 20: 19-29

<p>This month, Don takes a look at the story of Thomas, the disciple often referred to as “doubting Thomas,” in the gospel according to John. In his reading of this story, Don presents a rather revolutionary interpretation of Thomas and his reaction to the disciples’ claim that they have seen their teacher, Jesus. </p> <p>Through his refreshing take on the story, Don invites us to consider the Thomases among us, now. We can question: are we like Thomas? Liam, for one, energetically, if not sadly, claims to be a Thomasite. Give a listen and find out why.</p> <p>Following the discussion, Liam offers a reading - a prayer, in fact - from the Jewish<a href='https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8235048-mishkan-t-filah-for-travelers'> Mishkan T’filah for Travelers, A Reform Siddur</a> (or prayer book).  Produced by the Central Conference of American Rabbis </p> <p>I begin with a prayer of gratitude</p> <p>for all that is holy in my life.</p> <p>God needs no words, no English or Hebrew,</p> <p>no semantics and no services.</p> <p>But I need them.</p> <p>Through prayer, I can sense my inner strength,</p> <p>my inner purpose,</p> <p>my inner joy, my capacity to love.</p> <p>As I reach upward in prayer,</p> <p>I sense these qualities in my Creator.</p> <p>To love God is to love each other,</p> <p>to work to make our lives better.</p> <p>To love God is to love the world God created,</p> <p>and to work to perfect it.</p> <p>To love God is love dreams of peace and joy</p> <p>that illumine all of us</p> <p>and to bring that vision to life.</p> <p>In Trans-Forming Proclamation, Liam Hooper tenderly explores gender and the Bible. This book actually defies genre. With rich patches of poetry, memoir, and devotional, Liam weaves together inspiring literary insights with grounded, original, and informed scholarship. <a href='https://otherwiseengaged4u.wordpress.com/2020/06/23/trans-forming-proclamation-a-transgender-theology-of-daring-existence/'>Trans-Forming proclamation: A Transgender Theology of Daring Existence</a> is new wine