Feast of Saint Thomas, apostle
The New Testament leaves no doubt that its preeminent miracle is the resurrection of Jesus. It does not presume that all accepted that event from the beginning. Rather, as today’s gospel shows, it shows that even members of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples questioned its authenticity.
St. Thomas demanded physical proof that Jesus had risen. Whether he ever put his finger in Jesus’ nail
marks is an open question. He may have
settled, like his confreres, for seeing the resurrected Christ. In any case, he likely died a martyr, the
ultimate testimony of the resurrection.
The first reading, from the Letter to the Ephesians,
underscores the solidarity of Christian faith in the resurrection. Written toward the end of the fist century
A.D., it exalts the apostles who, preaching resurrection, gave the Church its
foundation. It also includes people, believers
like you and I. We not only praise
Christ but also extend to the world by the integrity of our lives hope of
resurrection.
