no doubt
"Do not persist in your unbelief, but believe!" —John 20:27
St. Thomas is known for his doubt. However, Thomas was not the only one in Jesus' circle who doubted (see Mt 28:17; Lk 24:21ff). Though Thomas struggled with doubt, he had no trouble with fear. He was brave enough to exhort his fellow apostles to follow Jesus to Jerusalem even if it resulted in death (Jn 11:16). Thomas missed the first Resurrection appearance of Jesus. Could that be because he was the only apostle not locked in the upper room out of fear?
St. Thomas apparently understood deeply Jesus' words: "Fear is useless. What is needed is trust" (Mk 5:36). He evangelized as far as India. A few years ago on vacation, I attended a Mass said by a priest from India. His town in India had been visited by St. Thomas, and a devotion to St. Thomas persisted in that town 2000 years later. No apostle evangelized as many miles away from Jerusalem as did Thomas. His combination of faith and fortitude are a great example to us today.
Jesus did not berate or criticize Thomas for his doubt. Instead, Jesus reached out to him. Likewise, Jesus still reaches out to us today, especially in the Eucharist. Jesus loves each of us as we are, but He loves us too much to let us remain as we are. With St. Thomas, let Jesus stretch you out of doubt and fear, and into faith and courage.
Prayer: Father, give me a heart filled with faith and the Holy Spirit. May I impact thousands of people for Your kingdom.
Promise: "This means that you are strangers and aliens no longer. No, you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God." —Eph 2:19
Praise: "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28)
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018
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