7/3/2024 (Wednesday) Today’s gospel reading: John 20:24-29

24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 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 nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 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.”
27 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.”
28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

7/3/2024 (Wednesday) Today’s gospel reflection / homily / sermon: John 20:24-29

In this gospel reading, we encounter the story of Thomas, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, who is often referred to as “Doubting Thomas.” This passage offers a profound lesson on faith, belief, and the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ.

Thomas was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples after His resurrection. When they shared the joyous news, Thomas was skeptical. He declared, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Thomas’s doubt is not just a lack of belief but a deep yearning for a personal encounter and tangible proof.

A week later, Jesus appeared again, and this time Thomas was present. Jesus, in His infinite grace and understanding, addressed Thomas directly, inviting him to touch His wounds and see for himself. “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27). Thomas’s response, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28), was not just a declaration of faith but a profound recognition of Jesus’ divinity and lordship.

This passage speaks volumes about the nature of faith. It acknowledges that doubt is a natural part of the human experience. Thomas’s skepticism was met with compassion, not condemnation. Jesus understood Thomas’s need for evidence and met him where he was. This encounter teaches us that Jesus is willing to reveal Himself to us in our moments of doubt and uncertainty.

Moreover, Jesus’s response to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29), extends a blessing to all future believers. This blessing emphasizes the virtue of faith that does not rely on physical proof. It reassures us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in the unseen and the promises of God.

In our lives, we often face situations where doubt creeps in, and we seek tangible evidence of God’s presence and promises. The story of Thomas encourages us to bring our doubts to Jesus, knowing that He understands and meets us in our need. It challenges us to cultivate a faith that trusts in God’s character and His word, even when we cannot see or understand His plans.

As we navigate through life’s uncertainties, let us remember Thomas’s journey from doubt to faith. Let his story inspire us to seek a deeper relationship with Christ, to trust in His presence, and to believe in His promises, even when we cannot see. For in doing so, we are blessed, as Jesus Himself has promised.

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