Eastertide
April 23, 2017
Scripture Reading: John 20:19-31
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
–John 20:24-31
Thomas was the one disciple who voluntarily committed to traveling with Jesus to Bethany to deal with Lazarus’ health issues. The disciples were cognizant of the fact that such a trip could result in Jesus’ death. Thomas essentially said let us go and die with him. Thomas’ commitment was not questionable.
I wonder why Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus made his first visit after his resurrection. Did Thomas just need some alone time? Perhaps he was somehow estranged from the others because he had supported Jesus’ decision to travel to Bethany. Maybe he had been sent to buy groceries. Nor do we know why he insisted on concrete proof of the disciples’ claim of seeing Jesus alive.
How do we think we would have responded in a similar situation? Is Christ alive in our lives
today? What does that mean? How does it impact our way of being? Tradition tells us that Thomas went forth as an apostle to the people of India, establishing the Christian religion there very early in its development. He did go into all the world and he did make disciples.
Prayer: God of Love thank you for taking us as we are and molding us in discipleship. Amen