I Want To Be Like . . . Doubting Thomas?

Father Hugh Gillespie, SMM

I Want To Be Like . . .

On Divine Mercy Sunday, the Gospel passages reveal the story of Doubting Thomas.

The Homily first offers some brief reflections.

Happy Easter! It is the last day of the Easter octave, and also Divine Mercy Sunday. The Gospel begins on Easter Sunday, and ends one week later on what we call now Divine Mercy Sunday. This day concludes the passages on the Resurrection of the Lord. The Church turns toward a world that needs to receive the Joy of the Resurrection. The Homily offers several reflections on this topic.

In todays readings, contact is at issue. Its not a word normally used in today’s world, but it is so important. In the readings (not included within this audio set), the world scrambles to bring the sick and dying so that even the shadow of St. Peter and St. John can rest upon them and cure them, in the name of Jesus. The homily briefly discusses the importance.

However, today we also hear in the Gospel about Our Lord appearing on Easter Sunday to the Apostles, all but Thomas. Now this story, which occurred two thousand years ago is well known. It is often given cursory attention, because it is so well known . . . or so many believe so.

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas: Italian Painter: Caravaggio: 1602

This artist’s paintings have appeared several times on this website. Some of his works may be found here, here, and here.

Return to Meditation Media

. . . Doubting Thomas?

Thomas was not with the other Apostles when Jesus appeared behind closed / locked doors. When Thomas returns, the remaining Apostles tell him . . . we have seen the Lord. Thomas response implied . . . no you did not. The Apostles say they have seen Him! Again, implied by Thomas, you have not! I will not believe until I can place my finger in His nail wounds and put my hand in His side. For many . . . the word doubting is coupled with the name Thomas as a result. Why on Earth would anyone want to be like . . . Thomas?

Because Thomas reveals something we all must take notice of . . .and few do. He should not be coupled with the word Doubting. He says something that is perhaps the greatest statement of faith in all of scripture (more on this later).

Thomas’ point to the Apostles is . . . you saw the Lord . . . the risen Christ, and all you did was look? If you saw Him, why isn’t your message to the world effective? You did not bask in His glory? You only looked? Why did you not touch his wounds . . . you only looked? Did you not touch His Glory and rejoice in it? You did not come in contact with Him?

Easter is the Mystery in which the Lord makes contact with us! Hear more about what this mean and why it is important to our spiritual well-being.

After coming in contact with the Lord, Thomas kneels and looks up to the Lord and says . . . My Lord and My God. It is perhaps the greatest statement of faith in scripture. Hear more about Thomas. Hear more about why we all should strive to be like Thomas!