Saint Thomas, Apostle (Feast)
My Lord and my God! (John 20:28)
St. Thomas often gets a bad rap. He is known mostly as “Doubting Thomas,” but that’s an unfair portrait of the man. In fact, Thomas may well be one of the greatest unsung heroes of the New Testament.
If you were to look for the most profound act of faith in the Gospels, Thomas’ would be near the top of the list: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Not just “Messiah” and not just “Rabbi,” but “Lord” and “God.” It was also a very personal proclamation: Thomas claimed Jesus not only as “the Lord” but his Lord.
These words didn’t come out of the blue. They were the fruit of all the time he had spent with Jesus. They were the result of his determination to listen to Jesus and to follow his lead.
So who was this Thomas the believer? For one, he was zealous and enthusiastic. He was the first apostle to state his willingness to accompany Jesus even if it meant death (John 11:16). He was also hungry to learn more about Jesus. At the Last Supper, it was Thomas who asked, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” (14:5). After Pentecost, Thomas traveled far and wide, ending up in India, where tradition tells us he was martyred in AD 52.
That’s quite a résumé! And yet, Thomas is still remembered as the one who doubted. Surely James or Philip or Andrew would have been just as suspicious if they had been in his situation on Easter Sunday. Surely any of us would have found the news of Jesus’ resurrection hard to believe. So maybe we should give Thomas a new nickname. Maybe we could call him “Believing Thomas” or “Faithful Thomas” or “Adventurous Thomas.”
Today, as you reflect on the way Jesus used Thomas to change the world, ask him to do the same for you. Ask him to give you the same zeal and inquisitiveness and courage that this apostle had. And believe that even when doubt gets the upper hand, it doesn’t mean that your story is over. Like Thomas, you, too, can be “blessed” even if you “have not seen” but still believe (John 20:29).
“Jesus, form me as you formed Thomas. Teach me to believe; then send me out as your witness.”
Ephesians 2:19-22
Psalm 117:1-2
Daily Marriage Tip for July 3, 2017:
“As a matter of equality, your surplus at the present time should supply their needs.” (2 Cor 8:13-14) Considering your resources, find someone who has less today. Give them some of your surplus – money, time, or talent.