RBWords

     Thomas has become the hero of doubters but he was more than a doubter.  He refused to believe unless he saw a sign of some sort.  In the Gospel of John, the word "sin" generally means a refusal to believe in Jesus.  So, he is confronted by Jesus with that refusal and gives us that wonderful profession of faith, "My Lord and my God."  In the next and last chapter, the "Johannine appendix," Peter will be confronted with his three fold denial of Jesus and make his threefold profession of love.  Each of these two apostles serves as more than one individual!

 

     The gospels are, in many ways, an extended preaching that was composed for people who would never meet Jesus in person.  In the Gospel of John, the vividness of the characters is such that we are drawn into their lives and problems of belief, even though we live more than 2,000 years later!  When it becomes inconvenient or even dangerous to believe in Jesus, do we deny him?  Or in our secular age, do we deny his resurrection or his gift of himself in the Eucharist - his Body and Blood? 

 

     I think it is important also to note that betrayal and denial, as serious as these acts were and are, both Thomas and Peter still come to faith and forgiveness.  The Lord's mercy and love run deep.  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.  AMEN