Greetings on this the Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle
Readings: EPH 2:19-22; PS 117:1BC, 2; JN 20:24-29
Seeing is Believing
A common saying and a good representation of the words of Saint Thomas. Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
But is seeing always meriting believing?
Prestidigitation is also known as ‘sleight of hand’. Also known as trickery, magic and tricky fingers. Visual illusions and light distortions are another sensory variation. Bias and expectations can generate other sensory illusions.
The full quote from the 17th century English clergyman, Thomas Fuller, is “Seeing is believing, but feeling is the truth.” This suggests that believing and truth are two very separate matters altogether (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/seeing-believing-stacey-alcorn#:~:text=The%20full%20quote%20from%20the,two%20very%20separate%20matters%20altogether.).
Summary
What did Thomas need reassurance about? He needed proof that Jesus was resurrected. Thomas was given a singular gift in the gospel account that Jesus might reassure all of us. You don’t have to ‘see’ me to believe in me., to believe there is a loving God who cares about you.
Reflection
Saint Paul captures the fulness of resurrected reality. We are no longer strangers to God and one another. We have a home, a citizenship, in the kingdom and are members of the family of God. This family started long ago and is completed in structure by Jesus himself. And we now dwell in each other and invite the Lord God to dwell in us forever.
Personal Reflection
Yesterday I did a graveside service for a family I did not know. But I always take time to speak with them beforehand listening and asking questions. So wonderful it is to be invited into the sadness and joy of a family having lost a loved one. In this case, a close friend. An enduring friendship, based on proximity at first, but grew into an enduring bond that lasted 40 years.
I didn’t have to SEE that love. I can feel it thorough the witness of the grieving.
Come ‘hell or high water’ as the saying goes they stuck together even moving from State to State, and then when the end came to drive back to Florida to lay her to rest.
I told they family they are living out the gospel of John verse 6:39.
This is the will of the one who sent me, says the Lord, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it ont he last day. They stayed with her until the last day and together we committed her to the ground until the day Thomas waits for: our own Resurrection.
Sacred Scripture
Full link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070324.cfm
First Reading
Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Responsorial
Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Gospel Acclamation
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!
Gospel
But Thomas said to them, “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.” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry