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Gospel: John 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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This was the first time the Apostle Thomas saw Jesus after Jesus was raised from the dead.
You can imagine how overwhelming that moment must’ve been – a combination of grief, shock, and surprise. Death seemed so permanent. Then, all of a sudden, it wasn’t.
Making the scene even more intimate, Thomas slides his finger into the hands and side of the Risen Lord reinforcing the seemingly impossible truth – Jesus is alive again, causing Thomas to shout out, “My Lord and my God!”
In that moment, Thomas is forced to think outside of the box; Jesus is God. And God is far greater than Thomas had ever imagined.
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As beautiful as this scene is, it only happened after something – or better said, someone – had changed.
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After Christ’s crucifixion, the Apostles went into hiding. We know they were huddled somewhere in Jerusalem, but as the Gospel reveals, “Thomas was not with them when Jesus came.”
Until now, the Lord has only appeared to Mary Magdalene, who was rewarded by going to the empty tomb first, and to the community of the Apostles while they were gathered together. Since Thomas wasn’t with them, he missed his opportunity.
What does this reveal to us?
That Jesus waited for Thomas to re-join the community of the Apostles before he had his chance to “see.”
Meaning, faith is not something meant to be lived alone; God wants us to gather together as a community in worship. It’s why we come together every Sunday at Mass.
When the community is present, God is present.
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Perhaps there’s an invitation here for us: we all know someone who, like Thomas, has yet to re-join the community of faith.
Why don’t we invite them to “Come and see” this week?
Who knows, the Risen Lord may also appear them, causing them to rejoice that He is Risen! Alleluia!
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Image credits: (1) Doubting Thomas, Caravaggio (2) New Ways Ministry (3) Doubting Thomas, Caravaggio