THURSDAY, THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Solemnity of Saint Thomas, Apostle of India
Acts 10: 24-35 Ps 42, 43 1 Pt 1: 3-9 Jn 20: 24-29
FROM DOUBT TO DIVINE FAITH
Today, we celebrate the feast of a saint whose profession of faith encapsulates the entire mystery of salvation: “My Lord and my God.” These words, uttered by St. Thomas upon encountering the Risen Christ, are among the most profound declarations of Jesus’ divinity in Scripture. Though often labelled as “Doubting Thomas,” his journey from scepticism to unwavering faith serves as a powerful testament to the transformation that is affected in the one who encounters Christ. His story is not merely one of doubt but of deep courage, relentless pursuit of truth, and ultimate surrender to divine revelation.
Thomas is frequently criticized for his initial disbelief when the other disciples testified that they had seen the risen Lord. Yet, his hesitation reveals not a weak faith but an earnest desire for truth. Thomas had witnessed the brutal crucifixion of Jesus; his hopes seemingly shattered as his Master was humiliated and executed. When he heard that Christ had risen, he needed more than second-hand testimony; he sought a personal encounter with the living God. His demand, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands… and put my hand into his side, I will not believe,” was not stubborn defiance but the cry of a wounded heart longing for confirmation. When Jesus appeared to him, He did not rebuke Thomas but instead invited him: “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” At that moment, Thomas did not even need to touch the wounds; the sheer presence of Christ overwhelmed him, and he fell to his knees in worship, proclaiming, “My Lord and my God!” This declaration was not just an acknowledgment of Jesus’ resurrection but a recognition of His divine nature – the same God who spoke to Moses in the burning bush now stood before him in glorified flesh.
Thomas’s story does not end with his confession. His faith propelled him into a life of radical discipleship. Tradition holds that he carried the Gospel to distant lands, ultimately reaching India, where he planted the seeds of Christianity. When European missionaries arrived in India in the 16th century, they were astonished to find thriving Christian communities that traced their origins back to the apostle Thomas. This missionary zeal was not something out of the ordinary in Thomas. Even before Christ’s resurrection, he displayed courageous loyalty. When Jesus decided to return to Judea – a dangerous journey given the threats against Him – Thomas boldly declared to the other disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). His love for Christ was stronger than his fear of death.
In many ways, Thomas represents the modern seeker – someone who questions, wrestles with doubt, yet ultimately yearns for truth. We live in an age where scepticism is celebrated, where people demand empirical proof before believing. Yet Christ’s words to Thomas also speak to us: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Like Thomas, we may face moments of doubt, times when God’s plan seems unclear, when suffering challenges our trust in His goodness. Yet, if we persist in seeking Him, Christ will reveal Himself to us, not necessarily in physical wounds but in the quiet assurances of His presence, His Word, and the testimony of the Church. St. Thomas’s transformation reminds us that discipleship is not about perfection but about surrender. Jesus chose flawed men – fishermen, tax collectors, and even a doubter – to be His witnesses. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, their weaknesses became strengths, their fears turned into boldness. Today, we are part of that same mission.
St. Thomas’s journey – from doubt to faith, from questioning to proclamation – challenges us to deepen our own encounter with Christ. He teaches us that honest questioning, when directed toward Christ, leads to divine revelation. His missionary zeal inspires us to share the Gospel boldly, even in unfamiliar lands. As we celebrate his feast, may we, like Thomas, fall before Jesus and declare, “My Lord and my God!”, not just with our lips but with our lives. May we be witnesses of His resurrection, living as children of light in a world longing for truth. And may we, like Thomas, have the courage to follow Christ wherever He leads, trusting that He is always faithful, even when we cannot yet see His hands at work.
Response: My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.
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