The Reunion
By Fr. Peter Fennessy, SJ
Ernst Barlach, The Reunion (1926), sapeli mahogany sculpture, 35.4 × 15 × 9.8 inches, Ernst Barlach House.
(Photo credit: Rufus46, Wikimedia Commons)
Thomas wasn’t with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them Easter Sunday evening. He declared he wouldn’t believe Jesus was risen unless he put his finger into the wounds in His hands and his hand into the wounds in His side. Today’s Gospel (John 20:19-31) relates how Jesus appeared a week later and offered Thomas the opportunity to do just that. Paintings of this event are usually entitled “The Incredulity of Thomas” and focus of the probing of the wounds. Barlach’s sculpture, “The Reunion,” focuses instead on the essence of these appearances—relationship and reunion.
Jesus stands straight, strong, tall; Thomas bends over, faltering. They embrace tenderly and are reconciled; the bond between them is renewed and strengthened. Jesus holds and supports Thomas and offers him understanding, compassion, acceptance, forgiveness, love. He accepts even the unreasonable demands Thomas has made. Thomas leans on Jesus with sorrow, repentance, relief, joy and love. He no longer needs to probe the wounds; the presence and embrace of Jesus is enough. “The Reunion” means more than this one encounter. It alludes to the emotions that create, destroy and reestablish all human relationships. It invites us to examine the relationships in our own lives.
