Feast of Saint
Thomas, apostle
(Ephesians 2:19-22; John 20:24-29)
Although St. Peter and perhaps St. John are the most
important apostles, St. Jude and St. Thomas are the ones with whom most people
identify. St. Jude is known as the
patron of hopeless causes. Both saints
and more retrograde sinners have considered their situations as
impossible. St. Thomas doubted the
resurrection when he heard about it from his confreres. Like him most people wonder if the apostles
were “just seeing things.”
Today’s gospel passage seems to have been written to dispel
such doubts. In its initial section Thomas
demands physical proof that Jesus has risen.
He says, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands…I will
not believe." Then Jesus appears again and shows Thomas his
hands. The response goes beyond belief
in the resurrection to belief in Jesus’ divine nature. Thomas responds, “My Lord and my God!”
We have to believe in both Jesus’ resurrection and
divinity without physical proof. But
there is plenty of circumstantial evidence attesting to the claims. His teachings and example have allayed
passions and promoted human welfare. The
Church he established and identified as his living body continues to
thrive. Most of all, he continues to
speak in our hearts assuring us of his love and exhorting us to love one
another.
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