tunnel vision
"Thomas said in response, 'My Lord and my God!' " —John 20:28
To Thomas, Jesus addressed the awesome revelation: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (Jn 14:6). Thomas was chosen by Jesus to be His apostle. He had such love for Jesus that he had the courage to die for Him (Jn 11:16), and Thomas eventually died a martyr's death. Thomas was filled with the Holy Spirit at the first Christian Pentecost. In the power of the Spirit, he went as a missionary to India. His mission work was so great that it continues to the present day. Thomas was one of the greatest people who have ever lived.
However, very few people think of Thomas' greatness. He is called "doubting Thomas," not "repentant Thomas" or "missionary Thomas" or "martyr Thomas." While love covers a multitude of sins (1 Pt 4:8), in most people's consciousness sin covers a multitude of great graces. For most people, Thomas' greatness continues to be eclipsed by one sin.
Although we would like to help people be more conscious of God's graces, realistically we know that sins are probably going to get more attention than anything else. This gives us one more reason to "fight against sin" even "to the point of shedding" our own blood (Heb 12:4). The Lord gives us the grace to overcome all temptations and thereby give Him an untarnished glory (1 Cor 10:13). Accept His grace.
Prayer: Father, make the Church and myself "holy and immaculate, without stain or wrinkle or anything of that sort" (Eph 5:27).
Promise: "You are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God. You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Capstone." —Eph 2:19-20
Praise: St. Thomas testified to his belief in Jesus before the Jewish authorities. He preferred to obey God rather than men (see Acts 5:29ff).
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, January 4, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 24, 2001