"FAT MEAT IS GREASY!"

Dr. Cecilia A. Moore

Divine Mercy Sunday

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks

and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (Jn. 20:19-31)

One of my friends who is a Bible scholar taught me this saying, “some people just don’t believe that fat meat is greasy.”  Though we are both Black women who grew up in the South in cultural contexts where such sayings abound, this one eluded me until I met her. I love and use it often because it is so vivid, visceral, and true.  Most recently, I have applied it to those whose choices at the ballot box in the fall of 2024 are foundational to the trauma and pain we are suffering locally, nationally, and globally. Although we had a taste of this “fat meat” before, many chose it again, not believing it was “greasy.” Sometimes I apply it to those who are dear to me, who ask what to do about things I am qualified to advise them on.  I tell them what to do, but they don’t do what I say.  Their rejection of my advice indicates they have greater confidence that this time the fat meat won’t be greasy.

Similarly, I apply it to students who don’t do what I ask them to do all semester – read, write, think, discuss, attend class, take notes, and turn things in on time.  Having failed to do these things, they don’t like the grades they have earned and want to know what else they can do to bring them up.  Oh my…  Finally, I confess that sometimes I, too, am one of those people who don’t believe “that fat meat is greasy.”  Sadly, not believing “that fat meat is greasy” has consequences, and failing to believe is very human.  What does this have to do with John 20:19-31?

Like this saying, the story of Thomas’s encounter with the risen Lord Jesus is also vivid, visceral, and true. Poor Jesus.  Throughout the gospels, we see time and time again that his disciples do not believe him despite witnessing Jesus' work miracles, healing the sick, and raising the dead.  Jesus empowered them to cast out demons and to heal people before his death and resurrection, even though they still harbored doubts about him.  While Jesus schooled and scolded them for their lack of faith,  they still enjoyed his compassionate, enduring, and merciful love.   That Thomas refused to accept his fellow disciples’ earnest testimony, “we have seen the Lord,” and declared in return “unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the nailmarks and put my hand in his side, I will not believe,” was consistent.

Still, Jesus did not give up on Thomas. Instead, Jesus entered the room, despite the doors being locked. Rather than rebuking Thomas for his lack of faith, Jesus offered peace to all present, and to Thomas, Jesus offered his very body. He said to Thomas, “put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side.”  He told Thomas not to “be unbelieving” but to believe. Jesus understood that  Thomas was like one who didn’t believe that “fat meat is greasy,” but was one who needed to see and to touch to believe. Only that would free Thomas to see Jesus,  his “Lord and God.” Jesus’s last words to Thomas in this reading are that not all need to see to believe, and for that, they are blessed. 

What a merciful and gracious God is ours, who blesses those who believe without demanding evidence but who also remains present and patient with those whose ability to believe is challenged. Let’s remember this when our own faith is weak. As Jesus was there for Thomas, Jesus is always here with us, offering his peace, love, guidance, and most of all mercy, even when we don’t believe.

Author: Dr. Cecilia A. Moore, Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies

University of Dayton. Member of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, Dayton, Ohio