Reflection for Friday July 3 Feast of St. Thomas apostle: John 20:24-29

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 we need to see explicit evidence before we believe in Jesus?

Thomas did not believe that Jesus had appeared to the other disciples unless he saw and experienced it for himself. His request was granted by Jesus when He appeared to them for the second time. During this appearance, Jesus invited Thomas to place his fingers into His side and to see His wounded hands. After this encounter, Thomas finally believed and proclaimed his faith.

We, too, can find ourselves in Thomas’ place—longing for signs, searching for proof, and struggling with doubt that Jesus can truly transform our lives unless we see and experience His miracles for ourselves. Yet, in the midst of our doubts, Jesus gently calls us to a deeper trust. He invites us to walk by faith and not by sight, to believe even when we do not fully understand, and to rest in His love even when answers are not immediate.

That is why, at the end of the Gospel reading, He says: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” These words are not meant to condemn us in our struggles, but to lift us into a higher kind of faith—one that trusts the heart of God even in the silence.

We often refer to Thomas as “Doubting Thomas” because he hesitated until he saw the risen Lord in the flesh. But perhaps we can also see him as a seeker—someone who desired not just information, but encounter. Was he truly doubting, or was he simply longing for confirmation that would deepen his faith?

There is nothing wrong when we seek confirmation of what we believe. In fact, in our honest searching, we may discover a deeper hunger for God—a longing that draws us closer to Him rather than away from Him. When we seek with sincere hearts, our faith is not weakened; it is refined, strengthened, and made more alive.

And so, as we reflect on Thomas’ journey, we are also invited to look into our own hearts. Where are we in our walk of faith today? Are we willing to trust Jesus even when we cannot yet see? Or are we still waiting for proof before we surrender more fully to Him?

May we learn to trust His presence even in our uncertainties, and to believe in His love even in our waiting.

And now, as we stand before the Risen Lord together with Thomas, we are left with this gentle but piercing question: Will we wait to see before we believe—or will we dare to believe so that we may truly see?—Marino J. Dasmarinas