Second Sunday of Easter, C cycle, April 15,2007

Scripture: Acts 5:12-16. Psalm 118. Revelation 1:9-11,12-13,17-19. John
20:19-31. Lectionary # 46.

Sometimes I feel that St. Thomas the Apostle gets a bad wrap by being
called the "Doubter." Don't we all have doubts? Whether they be about our
religion or our confidence in others? That is part of the human struggle
with life and its uncertainties in almost all the realms of our human
experiences. Besides, were it not for Thomas, we would not have the
extraordinary resurrection narrative that is read today in our Liturgy of
the Word. Moreover, it is Thomas who gives us one of the greatest
expressions of faith in the person of Jesus when he proclaims to those
gathered, "My Lord and my God!" I remember how the Dominican Sisters who
were so helpful to me growing up taught me to say this during the elevation
of the host and the chalice at Mass. And it still comes to mind whenever I
am at Mass. I personally think it affirms both the divinity and humanity
of Jesus and helps me to be united with Thomas when I have doubts about the
mystery of Jesus. Another faith affirmation that comes from this Gospel a
little earlier is that of Martha who exclaims before the apostles do, "Yes,
Lord, I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the
world."(John 11:27). Thus we have a profound statement of faith from
Martha in the Book of Signs (John: chapters 1-12) and in the Book of Glory
(chapters 13-21) where Thomas gives us his faith statement about Jesus.
Thomas is mentioned prominently in the Fourth Gospel (see John 11:16; 14:5;
20:24-29, and John 21:2). Father John L. McKenzie has this to say about
Thomas in his Dictionary of the Bible: Thomas was "a generous and impetuous
temperament, which is not what is suggested by the most famous incident in
which Thomas appears, the episode which has created the phrase,"doubting
Thomas." As our Gospel concludes today, we hear Jesus giving us a great
compliment: "Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed
are they who have not seen, and yet have believed." This prompts us to say
what Thomas has said, "My Lord and my God." Amen.