Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 20, 24-29
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But Thomas 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.”
Now 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.”
Then 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.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
An Apostle of Faith
1) Not with Them. There are times in our lives when we find ourselves doing too many things, leading us to distance ourselves from our communities. We end up isolating ourselves from family and friends by doing too much; it becomes a self-imposed wilderness. We become out of touch with our families, friends, and our communities. We forget that it is in our communities and families that we meet Jesus. We were not made to be alone. The Apostles were great examples of how important community is. We were made to meet Jesus through the people and places He brings us to. Don’t isolate yourself. Share your gifts with others, even if you find it difficult. God will be with you.
2) Unless I see. Sometimes we get weighed down, we become hardened and end up taking a very rationalistic and reluctant attitude towards others. It’s true that the bumps in the road of life can harden you and at times, actually distance you from God, the same God who has chosen you to announce Him. An apostle of Jesus who isolates himself or herself from the community and who neglects the encounter with Jesus, can become a rationalist or a mere ideologue. Community and prayer are the keys to being an apostle.
3) Believe. Faith is what leads us to see Jesus here and now. It’s Jesus who comes to meet us every day and lights our desire for an encounter with Him. He demands faith. It’s faith that helps us to be happy. It’s faith that gives us strength in every moment and circumstance of our lives. It’s faith that leads us to be the ‘better person’ even when everyone would like to see us fall. Have faith and dare to do big things.
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Remember that something good is on the way.
