Reflection on the Readings of the Feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle, Saturday of 13th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, July 3rd, 2021
Texts: Eph. 2:19-22; Ps. 117:1-2; John 20:24-29
Today is the feast of St. Thomas, the apostle. He is popularly known for his denial of the report of resurrection by the apostles. His name, Thomas, is synonymous with doubter because he doubted the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we celebrate him, today, we celebrate a man whose doubt melted away with his encounter of the risen Lord. With him we know that faith is not an absence of doubt but the victory over doubt. In faith we do not allow doubt to prevail, we carry out ours actions not minding that the contrary opinion might be right.
The account of the doubt of Thomas, in today's gospel reading, shows that God also satisfies our desire to see before we believe. It is said, ”'But he said to them, 'Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.' Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, 'Peace be with you.' Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.' Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!'” Jesus Christ satisfied the desire of Thomas to see before believing. In our individual and peculiar ways God often reveals Himself to us that we might bear witness to Him.
The profession of Thomas is basic to Christian faith. Whoever his faith has not mature to recognise Jesus as Lord and God has not started the journey of faith in Jesus Christ. It is upon this profession Christian faith is built. St. Paul, in the first reading, reminds us that it is by making this profession along with Thomas that we cease from being strangers and sojourner but fellow citizens with the saints and members in the household of God. The household of God is built on the faith of the apostles professed through Thomas in today's gospel reading.
The profession 'the Lord' tells us that everything in heaven and on earth and beneath the earth is under His control. This means we are to obey Him. As the Lord He deserves our worship and honour. Being God He is our creator, the source of our being, the reason for our existence. This means we owe Him everything we have and are; we are to surrender our whole self to Him. This once again reiterates the word: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all mind " (Mtt. 22:37; Deut. 6:5).
We are called today to hold firmly the profession made by St. Thomas in today's gospel reading. If we are steadfast in the faith professed by him, our participation in the inheritance of the people of God is certain. Hence, St. Paul, in the first reading, says, "You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets". We are to live our lives true to the fact that Jesus Christ is our Lord and God. We should always remember that as Lord He is in charge and deserves our worship and obedience and as God we owe Him all we have and are.
St. Thomas, pray for us and obtain God's grace for us to stand firm in the faith you professed, that we may share in the inheritance of the people of God. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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