Talking about Thomas

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Today the gospel is centered around the apostle Thomas. He was not present when the Risen Jesus appeared to the other apostles. When they told him that he had seen the Lord, he said that he could not believe until he saw the wounds in the hands and side of Jesus. A week later Jesus appears again and this time, Thomas is present. Jesus shows him his wounds, saying, ''Doubt no longer but believe.'' Thomas does believe and expresses his belief in the memorable words, ''My Lord and my God.'' At every Spanish mass, these words are repeated after the words of the consecration of the bread and then after the wine. In this gospel, John is giving us valuable lessons.

First, Thomas did not base his faith on the words of others, but on his own personal encounter with the Risen Jesus. May we too know Jesus as our friend who is always present in our lives. Secondly, Thomas sees that the Risen Jesus is the one who died on the cross. At every mass we remember the death and the resurrrection. It was love that redeemed us, the love of Jesus who truly suffered and is with us when there is suffering in our life. It is a privilege to accompany a person of faith who is  close to death and is at peace because of their faith in Jesus who suffered, died and rose to be with us not only when all is going well in our lives but in the difficult times also. Jesus said to the apostles and to us ''Peace be with you.'' May we respond with Thomas, ''My Lord and my God.''     

Don Hornsey