THOMAS

Today's Reflections

                               

 

     

THOMAS 

 

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Jn 20:24-29

²⁴Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵So the other disciples said to 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 into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” ²⁶Now 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.” ²⁷Then 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.” ²⁸Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Reflection:

My Lord and my God! Thomas was not with the other disciples when the risen Jesus first appeared to them. Then he refused to believe that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. But when Jesus again appears to the disciples a week later, and this time Thomas is with them, Thomas makes the highest profession of faith in Jesus in the gospel of John: “My Lord and my God!” The latecomer and doubter becomes a topnotcher in faith.

“Huli man daw at magaling, nakahahabol din,” we say in Pilipino (A latecomer who does well can still catch up). That is Thomas. And for us who have come much later, here are the Lord’s consoling words: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” That is us, all the generations of believers after the first apostles.

“Faith is to believe what we do not see,

and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe”

(St. Augustine).