Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle
Today’s Gospel text is all about believing. St Thomas had to establish the basis for his belief in the Risen Lord and so do we. This passage comes toward the end of John’s Gospel. Today’s reading does not include verses 30-31, but they form an important ending to our selection. “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that be believing you may have life in his name.” We are reborn to eternal life by placing our belief, our faith, in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Today’s Gospel invites us to examine our own belief. Thomas needed tangible proof – he needed to see and touch the Risen Lord. How about you? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? What is the basis for your belief and how would you articulate and express that to someone else? This Feast of St Thomas presents an excellent opportunity for each of us to work on our personal testimony! What is your “elevator speech” to describe or explain your belief in God? St Peter tells us, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have . . .” (1 Peter 3:15). Today is a great day to become more prepared to share our faith with others!
For many of us, we inherit our faith from our parents or our family of origin. The deposit of faith is passed on to us from the earliest age. We are baptized and become members of Christ’s Body; we enter into the fellowship of believers. In today’s first reading from Ephesians, St Paul uses the metaphor of a building, or a dwelling to describe the church, the people of God. Like a family, we are a “household.” We are also a “temple,” literally a place of presence, a container of and reflection of God’s Presence. Do you find evidence for your belief in God within the Body of Christ? Does the presence of God in the church draw you into the very presence of God?
St Paul recognizes that we, the household of God, are established on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. One of our foundational documents is the Nicene Creed, which we affirm each Sunday during Mass. I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord . . . This is one of the few moments during the Mass where we speak in the singular – I believe . . . After many recitations, this declaration might become rather rote, but it’s actually a glorious moment to reaffirm our belief and to speak it from the heart and soul, not just from the intellect. I believe . . .!
Where does that belief come from, for you, personally? Jesus says to Thomas, “. . . blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We have not seen the Lord in the flesh with our physical eyes, but there is a “seeing” aspect to our faith. Where and how do you see evidence of the Holy Spirit alive and active in your life? Where and how do you perceive God the Father’s love and presence? Where and how do you experience our Lord Jesus inviting and leading you to follow him as his disciple?
One of the most tangible, beautiful, and profound encounters with our Lord Jesus Christ is in the Eucharist. When Thomas recognizes Jesus, he exclaims, “My Lord and my God!” During the consecration, when the priest elevates the bread and the wine, we also recognize the very real presence of Christ. In that moment during each Mass, I quietly proclaim, My Lord and my God! – perhaps you do, as well. (I discovered this is a devotional practice going back to 1907 when St Pius X issued an indulgence for this prayer.) As we consume the body and blood of our Lord, do we literally recognize him and allow it to be a moment where we are overcome by his presence just as if he were literally standing in front of us, allowing us to put our fingers into his nail marks and to put our hands into his side? This very real experience of our Savior and the Eucharistic grace that flows through the Holy Meal strengthens and solidifies our belief. Reflecting on these encounters with Christ during the Mass can provide one means of explaining the joy and beauty of our faith to others.
The readings today prompted me to think of these few examples of the ways and places that we encounter God and establish our belief. Innumerable ways exist! I invite you to look for these evidences of God’s presence today. As we go about our day today, let us do so in a contemplative way, pondering how we might distill the essence of what we believe into a few simple sentences that we could share with others. Perhaps we can ask God to help us practice the Spiritual Works of Mercy with greater confidence and boldness as we not only embody what we believe but speak it out loud, as well.
- Elizabeth Wourms