Mystery of the day: Luminous
Celebration: St. Thomas , Apostle
Among the apostles, Thomas is remembered mainly because of his doubts about the resurrection of Christ. He did not want to admit anything that went beyond the bounds of his experience and reason. Eight days later he made up for that unbelief with a profession of faith, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). According to tradition, he preached the gospel in India, where he suffered martyrdom.
Liturgical Colour: Red
Table of the Word
First Reading: Ephesians 2:19–22
Gospel: John 20:24–29
Theme: My Lord and my God.
Reflection
Dearest friend(s) in Christ, today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, famously known as “Doubting Thomas.” But this feast is not merely about doubt; it is a celebration of faith born from encounter, witness, and mission. It is through this enounter that the Lord teaches us that even our moments of doubt can become the doorway to deeper faith and powerful witness.
As Pope St. Gregory the Great in his homily on the Gospels said that Thomas absence was not by chance rather the working mercy of God to strengthen the faith of the believers.
The first reading taken from the Pauline's epistle to the Church in Ephesus reminds us that we are no longer strangers or aliens but are part of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone (cf. Ephesians 2:19–22). By implication the apostolicity character of the Church means that her teaching is rooted in the witnessses of the apostles which we celebrate one of them today.
Moreover, we too are invited to be witnesses to this Gospel values as Evangelist John in today's Gospel pericope account for (cf. John 20:24–29). Here he presents a powerful scene that took place after Jesus’ resurrection: the absence of Thomas, his doubt, his believe, and the profession of faith - "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28).
Biblically, Thomas had three major encounters with our Lord, in his usual manner each of the event left us with a deeper message.
- Once when Jesus spoke of the mansions in His Father’s house, Thomas, in his simplicity, asked: “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”
- The second time, when Jesus turned to go toward Bethany to the grave of Lazarus, the desponding apostle at once feared the worst for his beloved Lord, yet cried out bravely to the rest: “Let us also go and die with him.”
- The third time, after the Resurrection, incredulity again prevailed, and while the wounds of the crucifixion were imprinted vividly on his affectionate mind, he would not credit the report that Christ had indeed risen. But at the actual sight of the pierced hands and side, and the gentle rebuke of his Saviour, unbelief was gone forever; and his faith and ours has ever triumphed in the joyous utterance: "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28).
In the light of this, Thomas' action did not left us with deeper faith but transcend to the koment wherebour Lord imparted blessings upon believers in the future: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:29).
Finally, today's celebration reminds us that doubt is not the opposite of faith, but can be the beginning of a deep and lasting relationship with Christ. Let us therefore, hearken to the exhortation of our Lord in moment of despair and doubt; to be hopeful and believe even all seems to be impossible.
+ Peace be with you.
© ARCHIVE 03072025
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