Mark Russ is a queer Jesus-centred theologian from Birmingham, England. He is currently a PhD student at the University of Nottingham, researching how liberal Quaker theology in Britain is shaped by whiteness. From 2015 to 2022, Mark was a programmes coordinator at the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre. Mark blogs at jollyquaker.com and is the author of Quaker Shaped Christianity: How the Jesus story and the Quaker way fit together (Christian Alternative, 2022) and the forthcoming The Spirit of Freedom: Quaker-shaped Christian theology (Christian Alternative, 2024).

Queries:

How does this Psalm give words to my own experience?

In what areas of my life do I seek peace? What do I need so that peace can emerge?

How have I experienced God answering my call, showing up for me?

How might I be an answer to the calls of others? How might I show up for them?

How could momentarily letting go serve me well?

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, 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 the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, 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. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt 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 come to believe.”

Queries:

What energizing possibilities are rising in me and in my communities?

Where am I noticing the reparative work of Love in our world and in my life?

How am I being invited “back to the land” and to the “soil”?

What voices are guiding us toward wholeness and peace? What are they saying?

Why are people low on hope? How are people finding hope?

In what ways is Jesus a model of reparative love?

Where is the loving work of repair most needed right now?

Where am I finding new life?

Queries:

How and why do people choose violence?

Where am I being nudged toward nonviolent action or stopping others’ violence?

Is my theology violent? Is my spirituality violent? How am I moving away from violent theology and spirituality?

How can we repent from violence and repair harms done?

Queries:

What am I rushing through that I need to savor?

Who needs my presence, connection, or touch? Do I need these things?

What does “taking a breath” mean in the context of my important commitments and relationships?

What strikes me about Jesus, Judas, or Mary in this scene? Do I identify with any of them?