Gospel: 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."
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Reflection:
Do you
need to see explicit evidence before you believe in Jesus?
Thomas
did not believe that Jesus had appeared to the other disciples unless he see
and experience it for himself. His wish was granted by Jesus when He appeared
to them for the second time. During His second appearance Jesus invited Thomas
to put his fingers into his side and to see His wounded hands. Having that
experience Thomas finally believed.
Many of
us are like Thomas, full of unbelief and doubts that Jesus will make a
difference in our lives unless we see and experience His miracles. Jesus is
challenging us to always walk by our faith and not by our sight. That’s why at
the end of the gospel reading Jesus said: “Blessed are those who have not seen
and have believed.
Doubting
Thomas is how we normally call the apostle Thomas who doubted unless he sees
the risen Jesus in the flesh. But did he really doubt or Thomas simply wants to
have a confirmation about the news that Jesus has risen?
There’s
absolutely no wrong when we simply want to confirm what we believe. For the
reason that when we want to confirm what we believe it simply means that we are
thirsting for something that will further reinforce our faith. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
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