3 July 2017 - doubts defeated

Today's Readings

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."

Is at weakness to need such proof? Even if it is, Jesus does not reject him. He gives Thomas what he needs to overcome his doubts. After all, Thomas feels uniquely left out until this point. The rest of the twelve have seen the risen LORD. Only Thomas has not yet seen him. How must this feel? Either the rest of them are crazy and lying or perhaps they are loved more than he is. There isn't a likely explanation other than these. Until, that is, Jesus comes especially for him and reveals himself in an even more personal way than he does for the other disciples.

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."

Would it have been better if Thomas could have taken the rest of the disciples at their word? Perhaps. But then again, to be an apostle is to be one who has seen the risen LORD. As someone being sent out to all nations to proclaim the risen Jesus it makes sense that he be one of the ones who has in fact seen him. The rest of us are built together as a Church on that initial revelation. 

you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God, 
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.

But that initial revelation is of a physical event. It is beheld with physical eyes.This is something Jesus wants us to be clear on. We acknowledge it by faith. But it was necessary that it be seen in history so that we are clear on exactly in what we are placing our faith. Are we more blessed to believe without seeing? Perhaps, although it doesn't say exactly that in today's gospel.

Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Jesus wants us to know that we aren't left out or excluded because we don't get to see him in the flesh. Thomas was blessed in one way, we in another. He addresses the doubts of Thomas in one way, our doubts in another. As long as we both come to believe we both come to share in the same eventual blessedness. The resurrection of Jesus, beheld by the eyes of Thomas, beheld by our eyes of faith, gives us life beyond the power of the grave. We are blessed no less than Thomas, so let us be just as ready to proclaim the good news as was the apostle who went all the way to India with the message.

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.