Sermon: Taking a Pilgrimage to the Wounds of Christ in the "Doubting Thomas" Story

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas,“Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” —From John chapter 20

Within Christianity and human culture in general is the concept and practice of pilgrimage. When someone "goes on a pilgrimage" two important things happen to them at once. First, in a very physical sense they go on a journey, they travel to the place of their pilgrimage, they arrive there and take in all that that place is. Second, they prepare mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the time they will spend in that place because the place itself means something and because they expect to have some kind of experience when they are in the place of their pilgrimage.