Homily – July 3, 2009 – St. Thomas the Apostle

Today we celebrate the feast of a remarkable saint: Thomas the Apostle. Most people think of him as the infamous one who doubted the fact that the risen Jesus was alive. Those who criticized him however had short term memory loss, as they were the ones who on many occasions before his death and resurrection were not always behind him a hundred percent; and who doubted and questioned a lot of the things he said and did: especially among them Peter, the soon to be head of the band of brother evangelists!

St. Thomas was not only normal in his reactions to Jesus' life, death and resurrection, but he was able to ask just the right questions at the right time and make the right statements at the right time which lead us memorable events and sayings that "everyone knows about" and remembers even today – no matter how little else they might know or remember about scripture. Thomas is the first of the Apostles who declared that he would give his life for Jesus. Actually that lot fell to James, but the spunk and bravery of Thomas is what is to be remembered here. Thomas is the one to ask Jesus where he is going, when Jesus announced that he would be "going away – telling them that they know the way" to which Jesus replied: "Thomas, I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me!" And finally, when his doubts about the resurrection led him face to face with the Risen Lord and he got to touch the wounds of Christ, he made that very memorable acclamation and prayer: MY LORD, AND MY GOD – being one of the only times in scripture where Jesus is actually referred to as God.

After Pentecost – and the Apostles were sent into the whole world to unify it and bring it all home to God the Father – Thomas went to India – and after laboring there for many years he died a martyr's death – for the honor of his very best friend, Jesus; and the glory of his Father, and ours!

You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe! Believing in the power of the Lord in our lives and the love pouring forth from his Sacred Heart can make all the difference in the world for us and for others!