Saint Thomas, Apostle
“We have seen the Lord.” (John 20:25)
Thomas didn’t get the message. Although the other apostles had told him that Jesus was alive again, he just couldn’t accept it. It’s as if his e-mail was turned off. And so, he states, the only way that he will believe is if he sees and touches Jesus for himself.
This must have been a let down for the apostles, who must have been terribly excited to share the news with their friend. Thomas had missed the first time Jesus appeared to them, and now, facing his skepticism, they wondered how they could convince him of what they had seen and heard.
The truth is, they couldn’t. They relayed the message. They spoke of their own personal experience. But that was all they could do. It was up to the Lord to take care of the rest. And how did Jesus respond to Thomas’ doubt? He met him where he was. He appeared to him personally and invited him to touch his wounds.
That was all Thomas needed. This one encounter, this one piece of undeniable evidence, helped him make the leap to a new and deeper faith: Jesus wasn’t just a dead man who came back to life. He truly was Lord and God!
Thomas was so deeply convinced about Jesus that he devoted the rest of his life to spreading the good news far and wide, all the way to India. Throughout his journeying, Thomas took with him the firm belief that, just as he did for him, Jesus will do whatever is necessary for each person to come to faith.
Today, as we honor St. Thomas, let’s all ask Jesus for a fresh encounter with him. Let’s ask him to show himself to us in a new way—in a way that will strengthen our faith. Then, like the apostles, who witnessed to Thomas, and like Thomas, who witnessed to thousands, we too will find the courage and joy to tell other people “I have seen the Lord!”
“Lord Jesus, I treasure the faith you have placed in my heart. Though I don’t see you, still I believe. Help me to tell everyone around me that you are alive. Use my words and my witness to speak to their hearts, just as you have spoken to mine.”
Ephesians 2:19-22; Psalm 117:1-2
Daily Marriage Tip for July 3, 2013:
(Reader’s Tip) Marriage is like running a marathon. There are long uphill and downhill stretches but you must keep going. It takes a lot of hard work and encouragement from others.