Doubting Thomas

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples[a] were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.[b] The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 [c][Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 [d]And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. 23 [e]Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to 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 into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 28 [f]Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 [g]Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of [his] disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may [come to] believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.-John20:19-35

Thomas' reaction is possibly normal. Though personally, if I am Thomas, I would have believed since some women and other disciples apart from the 12 have already testified to this truth. Yet, despite so many witnesses, Thomas refused to believe possibly because he is the type who will only believe in something he has seen, heard, tasted, smelled and touched.

Today, we cannot see Jesus physically albeit indirectly and in spirit only. But His invitation to Thomas is extended to us - Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. We belong to the post-glorification disciples, meaning, we believe in Jesus though we have not experienced Him in history and for real. However, because of the testimonies from one generation to the next, we have come to believe. Jesus is empowering us to proclaim the Good News through many means - witnessing, proclaiming, evangelizing, teaching, etc.

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No partiality

Something good comes out from seemingly negative circumstances.

24 From that place he went off to the district of Tyre.[a] He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. 25 Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, “Let the children be fed first.[b] For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” 28 She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” 29 Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.-Mark7:24-30

During the time of Jesus, the Jews have a very low regard for Gentiles, even calling them 'dogs.' This name-calling is known to the Gentiles, still, they continued with their lives. In the Gospel reading, Jesus in some way indirectly addressed the Syrophoenician woman [and possibly her child and all Gentiles] as 'dogs.' How can this be? Jesus' approach for each and every person is different regardless of one's status or affiliations in life. He was like a teacher to the Samaritan woman by the well. He was a healer to the Samaritan leper. Jesus knows how to weave Himself into our lives. Here, perhaps it is Jesus' intention to put the Syrophoenician woman's faith and love to the test. How far is she willing to go in the name of faith? in her faith in Jesus to cure her child? in her love for her child? Yes, there is a shadow of truth that perhaps a different person would have slapped His Majesty for saying, "Let the children be fed first.[b] For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." Dogs?! Women are considered weak at that time, and second class citizens. All the more worse if she happens to be a Gentile. But here, the woman has shown much courage,grace and faith while undergoing the test. Her faith is coupled with dauntless sincerity, hope, firm resolution that she will not return home with empty hands, and humility that truly touched Jesus' heart. Her story continues to live on to inspire and touch the hearts of many. But her story is not just about the miraculous healing of her child, but in some way, it is also a story of conversion and a testimony that Jesus does not show partiality at all. He comes to save and help us regardless of our religion, race, status, etc.

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Good News!

God is indeed with us!

40 And a leper[a] came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus[b] sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.-Mark1:40-45

When something good or miraculous happened to a person, s/he cannot help but share this good news to others. When a miraculous event happened to me, I was so animated, joyful and so inspired to share it to others. When my friends heard it, they shared my joy and rejoiced with me. Like the leper, I keep on repeating to myself and to others, "God has shown me mercy and compassion. God truly loves me, all of us. God truly listens to us. God truly gives us the help that we need at the right time. God is with us!" Are we bringer of good news or bad news to others?

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Witnesses

The Witness has spoken clearly.

7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with[a] water, but he will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”-Mark1:7-11

Not only did John bore witness to Jesus, but the Father in Heaven also gave witness to Jesus. Why is it so difficult to accept that Jesus is the Messiah? Why is it that some find it difficult to accept that God loves us so much that He gave His only Son for us?

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God's Not Dead

I testify to God's Chosen One.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”-John1:29-34

In the Gospel reading, John testified to Jesus as God's Chosen One. Jesus' disciples and followers continued what John started, and up to this time, continue in being Jesus' witnesses. There are instances when we need to be strong and firm in our faith. And if necessary, be a strong voice for God, for truth and for what is right and good. Are we willing witnesses of Jesus as the Messiah and God's Chosen One? Are we confident to stand by God even if we are surrounded by people who do not believe in Him?

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Testify and Testimony

He testified!

33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.-John5:33-36

From the time of Moses, up to the time of the prophets, and until John the Baptist, they all testified to the truth. And what is the truth? The truth that God is with us, pained by our sins, chastises gently, and gathers us back to Him. Yes, He loves us. The prophets shone like a lamp that gives light. They gave us enlightenment through their prophecies, sacrifices, teachings and miracles. And, the prophets showed the way - the way closer to God through repentance and turning away from sins.

The prophets testified to the truth, showed the way and shone like the light. The prophets came into existence to prepare us for the coming of Jesus. Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life. Jesus is The Way, and His Way is marked with Love and Light. Jesus is The Truth, and His Truth is Love. Jesus is The Life, and the Life that He gives to those who go to Him is marked with Love, Peace and Contentment, a life of Light!

Jesus is inviting us all to be witnesses of Him who gives us Life wherever we go, but it is not only through proclaiming the Word alone. Rather, the best way to be present-day witnesses of Jesus is through our Christ-like day-to-day interaction and existence with our neighbors through love, peace and respect amongst so many others.

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