Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle. In the first reading from Ephesians 2, St. Paul tells us that the household of God, the Church, is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. And the Gospel reading from John 20 is the story of Doubting Thomas. (I probably shouldn’t start the word “Doubting” with a capital letter, as though that were really part of his name. But that is how most people know him.)
Thomas was not around when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. He didn’t believe that they really saw him. He needed concrete proof. He said that he would not believe until he touched the nailmarks in his hands and put his hand into Jesus’ side. Lots of people can become all indignant and self-righteous about Thomas. I would most certainly not be one of those people. I totally get it.
But sometimes you just gotta take things on faith. That can be the hardest part of being a Christian. Especially being a Catholic, what with that whole Eucharist thing and all. Jesus showed up later and offered Thomas that concrete proof. And I believe that Jesus shows up in our lives every day. The question is, do we see Him? Or are we still looking to put our fingers in the nailmarks in His hands?
Father, forgive us for those times when we, too, doubt. Fill us with faith so that we may believe even those things that are not so concrete. Amen.
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