Prayer of the Day

Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle

July 3rd, 2015

The Apostle Thomas is often referred to as; “Doubting Thomas” because when the others told him that they had seen the Risen Lord he doubted their story.  Indeed he boldly declared that he would only believe that the Lord had risen if he could touch his wounds.   It was a week later that Jesus once again appeared to the Apostles in the Upper Room where out of fear they had locked themselves in.  Having greeted them all with words of peace,  Jesus then invited Thomas to touch his wounds calling on him to stop doubting and believe.   Thomas’ response; “My Lord and my God” was an act of faith that has lived on in the Church sometimes being used to proclaim the Mystery of Faith at the Consecration of the Mass.  In a few words “Doubting Thomas” had proclaimed the Divinity of Jesus.  No doubt Our Lord was happy with Thomas’ response but he thought of all those in ages to come who would believe in him without seeing him and he declared us all Blessed.  And so we have the last of the Beatitudes.  John’s Gospel like the other three Gospels, is all about faith in Jesus.  From the beginning of his ministry in Galilee Our Lord’s call to his followers was to “Repent and believe the Good News” (Mark 1 : 15).  Now here in the Upper Room in Jerusalem as he prepares to return to his Father,  he stresses the importance of faith.

As we reflect on this story we notice that it was when Thomas had returned to the group that Our Lord came to him.  It was within his community that he experienced the Lord and grew in faith.  The same is true for us.  Our faith grows when we celebrate the liturgy with our parish community.  It is then that we are truly blessed.