Thomas Sunday

Today, we celebrate Thomas Sunday. The Gospel reading from John 20:19-31 recounts the appearance of the Risen Lord to His disciples and the profound encounter with the Apostle Thomas.

The disciples were gathered in fear behind locked doors when Jesus appeared among them, saying, "Peace be to you." This greeting of peace is not merely a wish but a gift from the Risen Christ, who has conquered death and sin. He shows them His hands and His side, the marks of His Passion, to assure them that it is truly He, their Lord and God.

Thomas, however, was not with them at that moment. When the other disciples told him about the Lord's appearance, he doubted, saying, "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." Thomas's doubt is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of his deep desire for a personal encounter with the Risen Christ.

A week later, Jesus appears again, and this time Thomas is present. Jesus invites Thomas to touch His wounds and to believe. Thomas responds with a profound confession of faith, "My Lord and my God!" This declaration is the climax of the Gospel, affirming the divinity of Christ and the reality of His Resurrection.

Thomas's journey from doubt to faith is a journey that many of us can relate to. In our moments of doubt and uncertainty, we are invited to seek a personal encounter with the Risen Lord. Jesus meets us where we are, offering us His peace and inviting us to believe in Him.

As we celebrate this feast, let us remember that our faith is not based on seeing but on believing. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." We are called to trust in the Lord's presence in our lives, even when we cannot see Him with our eyes.

Let us also be instruments of Christ's peace in the world, sharing the joy of the Resurrection with those around us. May the Risen Lord strengthen our faith and fill our hearts with His peace.