As we have at other times, this evening we’ll pray with art: images depicting the story in tomorrow’s gospel: doubting Thomas.
Many of the images in this post were influenced by Caravaggio’s masterpiece: The Incredulity of Thomas (just below this paragraph). Every year, the gospel on the Sunday after Easter tells, the story of Thomas. I hope these images (some classical and some very contemporary) might pique your interest and lead you to spend some time in prayer with them. AND… a regular Night Prayer follows the gallery…
Here are some questions to guide you prayerfully through this gallery:
For some insightful commentary on Ben Steele’s work (above) check out Anneke Majors’ post at A Motley Vision. Steele’s subject and title form a visual pun playing on the work of Thomas Kinkade.
NIGHT PRAYER
I’m a believer, Lord
– you know that –
but you also know my doubts, my misgivings,
my unsurety, my skepticism, my mistrust…
Sometimes doubt leads me to probe and clarify
what I wasn’t sure of, what I didn’t understand,
what I struggled with
but sometimes my doubt leads me to confusion,
uncertainty and a kind of lonely fear
that leaves me wondering who I am, where I’m going
and what path leads to truth…
I believe, Lord: help my unbelief…
Give me the grace to explore my doubt,
trusting your Spirit to lead and guide me
to light, to wisdom, to truth
and most of all to you, Lord,
to faith in you, my God…
Protect me, Lord, while I’m awake
and watch over me when I sleep
that awake I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace…
Tonight’s song is the « Thomas section » of a very old hymn, O Sons and Daughters, composed by Jean Tisserand, a monk who died in 1494.
