231221 Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle

 

Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle

Also called Didymus, the twin, Thomas is identified as an apostle in all the lists of the apostles (Mt 10:3, Mk 3:18, Lk 6:15, Acts 1:13), and he has an important role in John's gospel. Thomas boldly urges his fellow disciples to go with Jesus to Bethany in Judea, despite the dangers they will face. Thomas says, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (Jn 11:16). At the Last Supper, Thomas tells Jesus that he does not know where Jesus is going, and asks, “How can we know the way?” (Jn 14:5). Thomas was absent at the time of Jesus' first appearance to the disciples after the resurrection. Thomas did not believe the other disciples when they told him they had seen the Lord. He has been known as “doubting Thomas” because of his disbelief that Jesus had appeared to the disciples. Thomas needed proof to believe. He did believe when Jesus appeared to him and the other disciples a week later. Thomas responds to Jesus' appearance by clearly proclaiming his faith, “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28). Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” (Jn 20:29). Several apocryphal works have been attributed to Thomas, including the Gospel of Thomas. He is associated with the Christian mission to Parthia and India. Thomas's willingness to express his doubts and his faith in Jesus has provided a helpful example for many Christians. The BCP collect for Saint Thomas the Apostle prays that “our faith may never be found wanting” (BCP, p. 237). His life is commemorated on Dec. 21 in the Episcopal calendar of the church year.

Collect

Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Bible Passage

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." - John 20:24-29

Devotional

In John 20:24-29, Thomas, the doubting disciple, encountered the risen Christ. Initially skeptical, he demanded proof. Jesus, in His grace, offered His wounded hands and side. Thomas, overwhelmed, exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" This encounter teaches us about faith. Blessed are those who believe without seeing, for faith bridges the gap between the visible and the invisible.

Questions

  1. How did Thomas react to the news of Jesus' resurrection in John 20:24-25?

  2. What did Jesus show Thomas to dispel his doubts in verse 27?

  3. Why did Jesus commend those who believe without seeing (verse 29)?

  4. How does Thomas's journey from doubt to belief inspire our faith today?

  5. In what ways can we cultivate a faith that transcends physical evidence?

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