Thomas the Apostle (called Didymus which means “the twin”) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. According to tradition, the Apostle reached Kodungallur, Tamilakam (modern-day Indian state of Kerala) in AD 52 and baptized several people, founding seven Churches. He was martyred at Mylapore near Chennai.

 

First Reading: (Acts 10:24-35)

 

And on the fol­lowing day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his kinsmen and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered; and he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit any one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright ap­parel, saying, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the seaside.’ So I sent to you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” And Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

 

Ps 41:2-5

R./ My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.

 

Second Reading: (Heb 1:2-3) In these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

 

Gospel: (Jn 20:24-29)

 

Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

 

Reflection:

 

The apostle Thomas is normally nicknamed as ‘doubting Thomas’ be­cause of his demand for a firsthand experience of the risen Lord. But we find him as the most courageous among the apostles. He too demanded of a share in the experience the other disciples had when Jesus had appeared to them. It is this ex­perience of the risen Lord that determines the course of his future life. He becomes a completely transformed person. His conversion and the conviction is evident in the cry ‘My Lord and My God’. It is a proclamation of faith that comes from his experience. Our life too is built on our experiences. What builds the faith into conviction is our experiences. The experiences of the other can certainly help us, but our own experiences transform our lives.