Feast of Saint Thomas, 2002

Today the Church calls us to honor and observe the life of St. Thomas the Apostle. Therefore, we will review some of the biographical information about Thomas, and then try to extract some lessons from his life and example.

In Hebrew the name Thomas means "twin." However we know nothing of his twin brother or sister. Concerning Thomas' vocation, God's Word hints that he was a fisherman from Galilee. In John 21:2-3, if you remember, when after the death of Jesus, Peter decided to go back to being a fisherman, St. Thomas was among those who accompanied Peter in the fishing boat. That detail indicates that these disciples were returning to their former fishing trade.

At one point Thomas uttered some brave words. The context was the death of Lazarus. Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus. The sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha had sent a message to the Lord telling Him of the serious sickness of their brother. But Lazarus passed away before Jesus made an effort to get there. Now, after a few days had elapsed, the Lord set out for Judea to raise Lazarus from the dead. The problem was that the Jews had already tried once to stone Jesus in Judea. Going there again would be dangerous. There could be more assassination attempts.

Reading John 11:14-16 [Read them.]

In the face of danger, Thomas challenges everyone present: "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." Meaning, they themselves should accompany the Lord even to death. Hence, Thomas was willing to die with Jesus. This issue is still with us today. In countries like Sudan, China, Pakistan, and Indonesia the lives of Christians are threatened. Nearly every day, somewhere in the world, Christians are forced to ask themselves: "Am I willing to die for Jesus?" As much as possible we need to defend and support our brethren in distant lands. Just because we do not face such persecution ourselves is no excuse to close our eyes to their plight. Many of these modern-day saints are following the example of Thomas.

We get another insight into the personality of Thomas when our Lord was giving a discourse on the joys of Heaven. When Jesus tells them He is going away, Thomas says, "Lord, I'm confused about where you are going, and how you are going to get there." Our Lord responds to his inquiry with a gentleness that is proper with people who ask their questions sincerely and respectfully. The Lord's answer to the question is one of the great verses of the Bible (John 14:6): "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." If Thomas had not asked the question, our perspective of Jesus' divine glory would remain partially obscured. "The notion of multiple ways to God, and many truths is false. Christ, and Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life.

Teachers appreciate students who ask good questions. The relationship between instructor and student is a special one. There are spiritual elements involved. Those who teach need to learn from the example of Jesus. A student's humble mind and sincere spirit deserves patience. Naturally, dealing with the slowness of understanding of others is much easier for the teacher when his student struggles with humble respect. On the other hand, a teacher should strive to make his material lucid and interesting and gladly clarify any queries that might arise. Our Lord offers a model of how to catechize with gentleness and patience.

Turning now to the passage that Thomas is most famous for, John 20:24-25. [Read them.]

This is a strange piece of unbelief; it seems uncharacteristic of him. Thomas had seen many of our Savior's miracles, and had conversed with Him on numerous occasions, and in those conversations Christ had promised that He would rise again from the dead after three days. But when it happened, Thomas refused to believe it. When ten of His disciple friends affirmed that it transpired his still objected. He would trust nothing but his own physical senses: mainly touch and sight. His faith became weak at that point.

Reading John 20:26-29 [Read them.]

Again, our Lord showed His patience with Thomas and gently overcame his doubts. Christ consented to show Thomas the nail prints, the stigmata, in his hands and feet, and place his hand in the hole in his side. Thomas responded in worship by saying, "My Lord and My God;" acknowledging the glorious deity of King Jesus.

Our Lord replied that the profession of Thomas' faith was good, but that it would have been a more noble act of faith if it had not depended on this tactile experience. Though we cannot see with our own eyes the resurrection body of our Lord, we know that there were many witnesses; enough witnesses to satisfy any wise and sober person. Part of the Christian experience is that we walk by faith, not by sight.

Nevertheless, Thomas' doubting did have a positive outcome. His touching of our Lord's pierced hands and side confirms our faith in our Savior's resurrection, and convinces us beyond all doubt that the very same body that suffered and died, was also raised. The evidence for the resurrection thus becomes persuasive even to the most skeptical mind.

The ministry of St. Thomas after Pentecost is worth examining. For this history we turn to Church tradition. Though this information is not as reliable, perhaps we should give it the benefit of the doubt.

According to the early church historian Eusebius, the province set aside for St. Thomas was that of the Medes and Persians. In other words, the most eastern territory of the Roman Empire. Other church fathers relate how he encountered the magi, the three wise men who had brought gold, myrrh and frankincense to the baby Jesus. After baptizing them, they accompanied Thomas as fellow laborers in the propagation of the Gospel throughout the regions of the East. Lastly, he is said to have ended up in India.

In Southern India Thomas established a church that was called the Christians of St. Thomas, or the Thomas Christians, since they were converted under his preaching. When the Portuguese under Prince Henry the Navigator finally got around to exploring that part of the world in the late 1400s they encountered about 1,500 Thomas Christian families. It was a geographically isolated group. They were not under Rome. They had the sacrament administered among them in both kinds ­ bread and wine; they did not pray to images, they baptized their children on the fortieth day, and other distinctive practices.

St. Thomas was so successful in his evangelism that the Hindu religious leaders perceived that the numerous conversions that were taking place were too much of a threat, so they had him assassinated. Men shot him with arrows, and stoned him. As Thomas fell gravely wounded one of the murderers approached, and ran him through with a spear. Later on, his disciples were able to acquire his body and bury him in a church in Malopur, India.

What do we learn on the observation of this festival of St. Thomas? We learn that if we seek the Lord in humility, He will gently straighten out the weakness of our understanding. Pride and vanity are the attitudes that cause heresy . We furthermore learn that no danger, not even death should hinder us from following our Lord Jesus Christ. Our fellow Christians, in numerous places around the globe, face torture, imprisonment, physical cruelty and death. Soldiers for Christ are ready to die for their Lord and for His cause. Finally, we learn that the normal Christian must live by faith. Some days we will be plagued by doubts. Doubt is not intrinsically evil. We all pass through phases of doubt and unbelief. When doubt falls within the boundaries of faith it is normal. Much doubt it this way. We should begin to fear when doubt veers into rebellion against God. In Heaven we will see the Lamb of God face to face. Faith will possibly be less important. In the meantime, "Blessed are they which have not seen, and yet believe."

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