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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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Why is this story of doubting Thomas the final story in John’s Gospel?
Perhaps John is giving us permission to be Thomas. To ponder, to doubt, to question, each in our own way. I’m sure we’ve all said at some point, “Wait a minute… how can that be?”
Maybe we’ve questioned the possibility of the bodily resurrection; how personal God claims to be; or one of the many Catholic doctrines about Jesus, Mary, or the Eucharist.
It isn’t wrong to question; exercising reason is a healthy thing. But when we ask questions about our faith, we must also take the responsibility of finding the right answer.
Ultimately, every tenet of our Catholic faith is upheld by reason, even if part of the answer – like God’s existence – is shrouded in ministry.
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Thomas reveals to us where the answers to our questions can be found – in the presence of the Church.
The reason why his heart was filled with doubt in the first place was because he wasn’t with the others when Christ first appeared. He was hiding elsewhere, grieving on his own.
The Lord only reveals himself to Thomas after Thomas re-joins the Apostolic community, and by extension, the Church.
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This is where most of our answers can be found.
We not only have the Bible, 2,000 years of tradition, the writings of the popes, Saints, and martyrs, but also the gift of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promises will, “lead us to all Truth.”
It’s okay to be Thomas – to doubt, to ponder, to question. But when we do, make the effort to find the right answer by seeking out, praying with, and studying the wisdom of the Church.
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Image credits: (1) Inc. Magazine (2) Doubting Thomas, Caravaggio (3) The Fold