Friday 3rd July Saint Thomas Apostle Feast
Gospel – John 20:24-29
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he then said to the paralytic – “Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is for Thomas Martin Father and Thomas Son RIP
Reflection:
We see in Saint John’s Gospel today that, John is the only Evangelist who has preserved the story in which Thomas is depicted as moving from unbelief to belief after his encounter with the risen Lord. The episode took place one week after Jesus had appeared to the disciples in the absence of Thomas.
This time Thomas was with them. Jesus, after greeting them with the traditional, “Peace be with you,” without any delay turns to Thomas and addresses him: “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side, and do not be unbelieving but believing”
The unbelieving disciple already sees Christ, but he is now asked to complete the test by adding the touching of the hands and of the side.
He does not, however, complete the test. With a giant step he moves from the state of unbelieving to the state of believing. Suddenly he is convinced that the one whom he sees, is the Risen Lord, the very same Jesus whom he knew, after having been with him for three years.
Unhesitatingly, without any other words, explanations or apologies, he responds with an astonishing confession of faith: “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God’”. This declaration of faith is unique. No other disciple in the Gospel narratives expresses his faith in Christ who is now called ‘My Lord and My God’.
- Have you ever gone from disbelieving to believing?
- How does Saint Thomas inspire and encourage you?
Fr John
