(Audio)
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
Jesus revealed to his disciples that he had risen. This revelation more than any transfer of information from master to student was what prepared the apostles to teach.
They devoted themselves
to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life,
to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
So what was the teaching of the apostles, exactly? Certainly there were many aspects to it. But it was above all about what Jesus had accomplished in the Paschal mystery. Paul summarized this well:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures (see First Corinthians 15:3-4).
The teaching of the apostles, Apostolic tradition is what has been passed down to us by those privileged first witnesses of the resurrection. Those who saw and believed were given that blessing in order to be at the service of the future generations who would not see but believe. For this reason, the doubt of Thomas and the response of Jesus was a blessing not for Thomas only but for each of us as well. The response to his doubt can heal the doubts of our own hearts.
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.”
Jesus brings each of by the route of his death and resurrection to come to belief that he is the Son of God, and that through this belief we may have life in his name. He wants us to cry out with Thomas "My Lord and my God!"
The death and resurrection of Christ open and unseal the font of baptism for the Church. His new life is the source of the new life of all Christians. By faith we enter into the very Paschal mystery that reveals Jesus and draws us to him. And rising from this font we are called to continue to live in this truth, that of who Jesus is, and of who we are in him.
In this you rejoice, although now for a little while
you may have to suffer through various trials,
so that the genuineness of your faith,
more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire,
may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
We walk by faith and not by sight (see Second Corinthians 5:7). The reason we are not simply given to see is because this is how God chooses to let our hearts and minds be perfected, by our very trust in him. So although we are not given the same glorious revelation that was given to the disciples, or to Thomas, we nevertheless have great riches of faith in which we are called to rejoice. It is not a private but a blessing!
Although you have not seen him you love him;
even though you do not see him now yet believe in him,
you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
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