Greetings on this the Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle
Readings: Ephesians 2:19-22; Psalm 117:1bc, 2; John 20:24-29
Summary
The Story of Thomas
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But Thomas said to them,
“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.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
John 20:24-29
One must allow for the possibility of this story being constructed for literary purposes to explain to the entirety of us who were not there during the days Jesus walked the Earth. Thomas needed assurance (and we reassurance) that the whole of the Christ Event had meaning and was efficacious in the Salvation Plan. Proof of the resurrection would be such a assurance.
The reality is we all have a tipping point. The personal inflection point. The moment of unbelief to belief. We are Thomas.
The difference is we are post-Ascension believers. How do we gain assurance and then reassurance in the Salvific plan of God?
Reflection
…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 (Eph 2:20b-22).
The test, like Thomas, is the hands and sides of Jesus. His hands are our unity. His wounds our strength.
- Unity is the Gospel Message of Jesus.
- Seeking conversion to holiness.
- Spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
- A dwelling for the Holy Spirit.
Personal Reflection
We are the Corporal linen.
We are laid out upon the Altar of the Lord that the sacrifice of Jesus may be known. We unfold our lives before Jesus and he makes us a foundation of his loving expression. This is how you know of the Resurrection. This is our assurance and our reassurance.
Franciscan Reflection of note: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-thomas/
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070325.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry