Thomas
"Lorem ipsum."
Los Angeles, CA
St. Thomas
After His Resurrection, Jesus appears to the disciples when Thomas is not present. They have been told by Mary of Magdala that He has risen but when He enters the room although the doors are locked and they see His hands and His side, then they truly rejoice.
He gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit and through the Spirit the gift to forgive or retain the sins of those who ask forgiveness; the sacrament of reconciliation.
The disciples are called to go forth and to bring others to the Father just as Jesus has done. They are excited over seeing the Risen Christ and upon finding Thomas they tell him of the appearance of Jesus. Thomas will not believe them and comments that he would have to actually put his finger in the nail marks and his hand in His side. A week later Jesus appears again to the disciples and with Thomas present He approaches and tells him to put his finger in the nail marks and his hand in His side.
Jesus wants Thomas to believe. Thomas responds, “My Lord and my God”. (A traditional though not required response in the Latin Mass when the host was elevated at the consecration) And, the Gospel of John continues to explain that these stories are written so that we may ourselves believe in Jesus the Risen Christ, the Son of God, and that because of our belief, we may have “life in His name”. Jesus considers us blessed who believe in Him even though we cannot see Him. The Apostles, including Thomas, believe and are sent forth on their mission to bring others to have faith and to believe in the Risen Lord.
Key Facts about Saint Thomas
- The Apostle of India: Christian tradition holds that after Pentecost, Thomas traveled eastward to preach the Gospel, eventually landing in South India in 52 AD. He is credited with founding the St. Thomas Christian (Syrian Malabar) community there and is the patron saint of India
- St. Thomas the Apostle is best known for the miracle of the Resurrection, where he overcame his doubt by touching Jesus Christ’s wounds. During his subsequent missionary travels in India, traditions record miracles such as suspending thrown water in the air to convert local priests and causing a fountain of water to erupt during a drough
What Saint Thomas is Known For
- Saint Thomas the Apostle, one of the Twelve Disciples of Jesus, is best known for his initial skepticism of the Resurrection. Nicknamed “Doubting Thomas,” his request for physical proof led to one of the most profound declarations of faith in the New Testament: “My Lord and my God!
- Courage and Loyalty: Before his doubt, the Gospels also paint Thomas as deeply loyal and courageous. When Jesus decided to return to a dangerous area in Judea to raise Lazarus, Thomas boldly told the other disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him
Novena
O Glorious Saint Thomas, your grief for Jesus was such that it would not let you believe he had risen unless you actually saw him and touched his wounds.
But your love for Jesus was equally great and it led you to give up your life for him.
Pray for us that we may grieve for our sins which were the cause of Christ’s sufferings.
Help us to spend ourselves in his service and so earn the title of “blessed” which Jesus applied to those who would believe in him without seeing him.
Amen.
