Gospel
John 20:24-29
'My Lord and my God!'
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:
‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
Reflection on John 20:24-29
In this passage, we witness the profound moment of Thomas’s doubt and subsequent faith. Thomas, often called “Doubting Thomas,” represents the very human struggle to believe without physical proof. His honest demand to see and touch Jesus’ wounds reveals a deep desire for certainty. Yet, Jesus meets Thomas not with rebuke but with gentle invitation—“Put your finger here; look at my hands.” This encounter transforms Thomas’s doubt into a powerful confession: “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus’ words to Thomas, “Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe,” extend beyond this moment. They call us to a faith that trusts in the unseen, a faith that embraces mystery and grace without needing physical evidence. This passage challenges us to consider the nature of our own belief. Are we like Thomas, needing tangible proof? Or can we grow into the blessedness of faith that trusts in Jesus’ presence even when we cannot see Him?
Question for Reflection:
How can I deepen my faith to trust in Jesus’ presence, even when I cannot see or fully understand Him?
Prayer Based on John 20:24-29
Lord Jesus,
You met Thomas in his doubt with patience and love, inviting him to believe. Help me to trust in Your presence even when I cannot see You clearly. Strengthen my faith to believe in Your promises and Your love, especially in moments of uncertainty. May I, like Thomas, come to recognize You as my Lord and my God, and may my faith bring peace to my heart.
Amen.
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