First Reading | Ephesians 2:19-22

Let us remember that we are only strangers to the earth. We are just passing through as we journey in our lives. Let us avoid getting attached to earthly things that could distract us from our faith in God. Our minds and intellect can distract us if we become proud and haughty due to acquired knowledge. Let us have faith and give ourselves the freedom to believe without having to test everything each time.

¹⁹ Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, ²⁰ built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. ²¹ Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; ²² in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 117:1, 2

R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News!

¹ Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! (R) ² For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever. (R) 

Gospel | John 20:24-29

Thomas is a likeable chap—he is true to himself and others. I can relate with him because he says how he feels. He was annoyed about his absence when Jesus first appeared to the Apostles. More than disbelief, I think what Thomas felt was annoyance. Would you challenge the other Apostles like Thomas did? 

Gospel Acclamation

You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!

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 Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks 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 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read 2 CHRONICLES 7 - 9 today.

My Lord and My God!

It was Jesus’ second appearance after His resurrection from the dead. The disciples were gathered together, save one—Thomas. He was probably solitary, sad, and sulky.

It is OK not to be OK. It was perfectly legit for Thomas to feel sad, realizing that the Person he had been rooting for for three short years was gone—a fallen victim to power play, political ambition, disbelief, and downright rejection from everybody who was somebody at that time.

“We have seen the Lord,” the disciples declared, albeit unconvincingly for Thomas. He was honest in his initial doubt. He was earnest in his search for further inquiry. He was a skeptic alright, but one who ultimately loved truth and actively searched for it, not relying on what others say but on his own conviction.

Thomas was a truth-loving skeptic, if ever there was one.

It is OK to doubt sometimes. As a Filipino, I am often filled with doubt about our nation’s (and our people’s) capacity to get their act together for the common good, not just for the good of those who hold power, prestige, privilege, and position over many decades. I am saddened by the swift and steady decline in our faith and religious-inspired culture, particularly in the contemporary (social) media ecology, where truth no longer reigns supreme.

Despite the repeated claims from his fellow disciples, Thomas wanted to see, feel, and touch. His was not a skepticism that was born of frivolity, indifference, and hostility. It was a skepticism borne of an inquiring spirit that is part and parcel of the journey of faith. It was a search that had a moral motive and spiritual aim. And that was nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else but pristine truth. Thomas ultimately teaches us this powerful prayer of faith: “My Lord and my God!”

Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

reflection questions

What truths of our faith do you find hard to believe? Have you made any inquiry to help yourself believe in such truths?

My Lord and my God! Amen.

Today, I pray for: _______________________________________