The "Show-Me" Saint

Thomas, a name meaning "twin," was sometimes called by the Greek name Didymus which means the same thing. He was a bold member of Jesus closest followers who expressed his loyalty by offering to go and die with Jesus in Judea. (John.11:16). However, when the other apostles told Thomas that Jesus had been raised from the dead following his death on the cross, Thomas refused to believe them until he could touch the wounds of Jesus. A week after Jesus' death, Jesus appeared to the apostles, including Thomas, and invited him to touch the scars that would prove that Jesus indeed was the one who suffered and died on the cross. Thomas' profession of faith was complete: "You are my Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)

Like Thomas, many believers experience doubt. Doubt, however, can be an important part of one's spiritual journey. It allows the soul to question in order to clarify and to enter more deeply into a relationship with Christ. Thomas' confession of faith teaches that such doubt can bring profound results. But Jesus also told Thomas that those who could believe without seeing were "really blessed" (John 20:29). The journey with Christ is both one of believing the unseen and believing in what one can see of God's presence in the world. Both kinds of belief call believers to profess faith in words and actions.

Tradition tells us that Thomas became the apostle to Parthia, Persia, and India. Some churches in India today trace their foundation to the ministry of Thomas.

Reflect on the Word

Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. You know the way to where I am going."

Thomas said, "Lord, we don't even know where you are going! How can we know the way?"

"I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered. "Without me, no one can go to the Father. If you had known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him."

John 14:1-7,(CEV)