Fr Martin Kallungal

Reading

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. Do not be unbelieving any more but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him: You believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.There were many other signs that Jesus worked in the sight of the disciples, but they are not recorded in this book.These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through His name (Jn 20:26-31).

Reflection

Among many other things, an important point in this familiar passage is the nature of belief. Many think that Christian belief is a blind trust, and the verse, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe,” is often quoted in support of such a view. But, when we understand this verse along with other verses that precede and follow, we can see that Jesus is saying something exactly the opposite. Thomas was given eye-witness testimony by those who saw the risen Lord. But he insisted on direct seeing and touching as pre-requirements for his belief. In verse 30, the evangelist tells us that Jesus did many more signs other than the miraculous appearance. And, he adds in verse 31 that some of them are recorded so that readers may believe that Jesus is Christ. Indeed, over the centuries many came to believe in Jesus Christ not through direct seeing and touching but through spiritual convictions they gained while listening to the testimonies in the Scriptures.

Prayer

O’ Lord, you teach us that both direct seeing and Scriptural seeing are ways to belief. Direct seeing is a special gift you grant to good doubters like Thomas who followed you closely. Lord, I don’t want to put direct seeing as condition for my belief in you because I am afraid that my belief will be a merely blind trust if you will not show up. I am not worthy of seeing you and touching you. Instead, grant me, Lord, the gift of Scriptural seeing so that I touch you in the words of your witnesses, and, thus grow in blessed trust!

Contemplation & Action

Our Lord’s first word, even to the doubting Thomas, is: “peace!” Let me receive the peace the risen Lord is giving me even when I have doubts and questions. Let me seek peacefully though nothing is in view. I leave my thirst for miracles. His silent presence is the greatest miracles. In and between His Words I can see Him and touch Him with my heart. I will return to my Bible and testimonies of saints.