But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, 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. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations
In today’s Gospel on the feast of St. Thomas we hear about Jesus appearing before his disciples. It is not because of anything they do that they encounter Christ; in fact they are hiding behind a locked door. No, they encounter Christ because Jesus seeks them out. But Thomas is not there and, when he hears of the appearance of Jesus, he doubts. Eight days later Jesus appears again and this time Thomas is present. Jesus addresses Thomas’ doubts and Thomas believes.
Today’s gospel should bring us hope, especially because the bar is set awfully low. Jesus appears to a group of disciples who are hiding and one who has doubted. Yet, Jesus seeks them out! As Christians we can feel ashamed about being anxious or having doubts and we can be tempted to keep these to ourselves. However, on this feast of St. Thomas, let us remember Jesus’ desire to be with his followers no matter where they are at.
“I do believe, help my unbelief! (Mk 9:24)
—Brother Pat Douglas, S.J. lives and works at Creighton University, Omaha. He is also vocation promoter for the Wisconsin Province Jesuits.
Lord, let my faith be full and unreserved, and let it penetrate my thought, my way of judging divine things and human things.
Lord, let my faith be humble and not presume to be based on the experience of my thought and of my feeling; but let it surrender to the testimony of the Holy Spirit.
—The Jesuit Prayer Team
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Ignatian spirituality reminds us that God pursues us in the routines of our home and work life, and in the hopes and fears of life's challenges. The founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, created the Spiritual Exercises to deepen our relationship with Christ and to move our contemplation into service. May this prayer site anchor your day and strengthen your resolve to remember what truly matters.
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