The Beginning of Wisdom
“This Jesus, God raised up: and of that, all of us are witnesses.”
Here is an ancient Christian ivory relief of Thomas’s encounter with the Risen Lord we read about in this week’s Gospel, from a diptych in Milan, dating from around the 6th C. We hear frequently of “Doubting Thomas” in the West, but the title on this scene that comes down to us from antiquity is not about Thomas’s doubt, but about the Lord’s work. It is described as the “Assurance of Thomas.” And indeed, Thomas is not here (nor ever, in works surviving from antiquity) depicted as under the shadow of existential ambivalence and Cartesian brooding that we as modern people frequently identify as “doubt,” but Thomas is on the move. He encounters Jesus in the midst of the action: he is moving forward, and his assurance becomes a new basis and new standpoint as he continues along his journey.
Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.
— Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 20:27)
Second Sunday of Easter
Texts for Today
Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Filii, Filiae: Let us sing!
Smash hit of the 15th C French Franciscan and popular preacher Jean Tisserand, this hymn translates the Easter narrative into a simple and catchy (if somewhat lengthy) chant. “Alleluia” verses punctuate a telling of the story of the risen Christ appearing to his Apostles, with special emphasis on two particular moments: that first Easter morning, and then Christ’s separate encounter with Thomas. For this reason, the hymn is often divided into two parts, with the first half being sung on the first Sunday of easter, and the second reserved for the second Sunday.
Here are the two halves of the song, performed in two different styles. The first half is arranged and conducted by the eminent American church composer, the late Richard Proulx (d. 2010). Proulx captures the intensity and longing of the Easter mystery: acapella voices, deliciously resounding through the spacious cavern of an empty church. The second half is performed by ancient music folk musician (and Anglican Deacon!) Anna Purdum. The same tune, carried over onto a guitar, with light rhythmal accompaniment, moves from the pensive and emotive to the driven and determined in its affect.
