Ephesians 2:19-22; Psalm 117; John 20:24-29
Today’s Gospel presents us with the high point of Thomas journey of faith. We have basic lessons from Thomas journey of faith. Firstly, the honest doubt of Thomas is a model of faith for modern Christians: modern Christians are gullible and so vulnerable. We must insist by way of reason and inquiry to understand our faith. Thomas insisted on touching the holes. Today we need such necessary doubt rather than believing every dick and harry.
Secondly, Thomas’ absence was a lesson for Christians: Thomas made one mistake; he withdrew from the Christian community and so he was not there when Jesus first appeared to them. After the event of Jesus’ death Thomas sought loneliness rather than togetherness and so he missed out. Beloved in Christ, we miss a great deal when we separate ourselves from the Christian body.
Lastly, “Peace be with you” were the very words of Jesus to his disciples when he appeared to them. Jesus made this statement because of the turmoil and disorder that pervaded the land due to his death. Amidst these tensions Jesus said “peace be with you.” Beloved in Christ, we need peace as a community and as an individual, a community where there is no peace things are torn into pieces. Lack of peace is one of the major causes of high blood pressure today. On the family level; we need peace; some people suffer from unforgiveness, malice, envy, hatred, lies, cheating and disunity as against the common foundation which the first reading speaks about. Lord give us peace. The Church sees the importance of peace and so she greets “peace” in every liturgical celebration. We pray for the grace to overcome unnecessary doubt and blind argument in the course of our faith journey. Lord in such moment may we understand that you have said “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” My Lord and my God, help my unbelief.
Briefly about Thomas the Apostle
Thomas was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. Thomas is commonly known as “Doubting Thomas” because he doubted Jesus’ resurrection when first told of it (as related in the Gospel of John alone); later, he confessed his faith, “My Lord and my God,” on seeing Jesus’ crucifixion wounds.
According to traditional accounts of the Saint Thomas Christians of modern-day Kerala in India, Thomas is believed to have travelled outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel, travelling as far as the Malabar Coast which is in modern-day Kerala.According to their tradition, Thomas reached Muziris (modern-day North Paravur and Kodungalloor in the state of Kerala, India) in AD 52. In 1258, some of the relics were brought to Ortona, in Abruzzo, Italy, where they have been held in the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle. He is often regarded as the patron saint of India and the name Thomas remains quite popular among Saint Thomas Christians of India.
St. Thomas, pray for us!
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