FEAST OF ST THOMAS, WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, JULY 3, 2024

The Incredulity of St Thomas

Caravaggio 1601

MASS READINGS:

Gospel 

JN 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,

was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

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.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside

and Thomas was with them.

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.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

REFLECTION\

 “My Lord and my God!”

Only God can save a soul. Only He can infuse faith and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We are told many times that God wills everyone to be saved; therefore, it is possible that in a blink of an eye, an unbeliever and doubting person can be justified.

St Thomas was one of the twelve. He walked, talked and listened to Jesus. Why was it difficult for him to believe that He, whom he knew and watched die and be buried, had conquered death and resurrected? His friends told of seeing Him…..why the disbelief, the hardness of heart by St Thomas?

Nothing happens without God allowing…so why was St Thomas not present during the first visitation of Jesus? Why was he chosen to touch the wounds? St Thomas during the Last Supper asked Jesus, "Lord we do not know where you are going; how do we know the way?" And Jesus answered, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life".

Jesus now is identified to St Thomas by His Wounds, and not by His face. St Thomas immediately knew that Jesus was God, “ My Lord and my God”.

Once God’s intimate call finds you, His divine power cannot be contained.

Even the stubborn and the hard hearted can be converted with God seeking them out. May we accept His call and begin a personal communion with God.

God bless you