July 3: Saint Thomas the Apostle

Today, July 3, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Thomas the Apostle (died 72), original disciple of Jesus, and holy man of change and courage. Remembered most often for doubting the Resurrection of Jesus following the crucifixion, Saint Thomas should also be remembered for his role in the teachings of Christ. Following the questioning of Thomas, great truths were revealed to the twelve.

Jesus uses the disbelief of Thomas to teach the disciples a lesson of faith. Thomas says: “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” ( John 20:25); but eight days later he made his act of faith, drawing down the rebuke of Jesus: “Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.” (John 20:29).

Similarly, at the Last Supper (the Institution of the Holy Eucharist), Thomas raises an important question, stating “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5). Thomas’ question reveals the greatest truth of salvation, when Jesus replies: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Saint Thomas may also be remembered for his courage: When Jesus announced His intention of returning to Judea to visit Lazarus, “Thomas” who is called Didymus [the twin], said to his fellow disciples: “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). Thomas knew the danger of returning to Judea, given the mounting hostilities of the authorities of that region, but he was willing and ready to walk into danger (and possible death) for Jesus.

Saint Thomas turned from his doubt, and embraced the truth of the Resurrection and the truth of Jesus Christ. Following Pentecost, when the disciples spread throughout the region, Thomas set off on a difficult course of missionary work, his travels taking him to the Parthians, Medes, and Persians. He is believed to be the only original disciple to preach outside the boundaries of the Roman Empire, and also the missionary who traveled the farthest during that time. Holy legend tells us that Thomas ultimately reached India, carrying the Gospel of Jesus to the Malabar coast, which today boasts a large native population who call themselves "Christians of Saint Thomas."

Thomas worked on the Malabar coast and throughout India for many years, building the Church of God in that region, sometimes with his bare hands. He was eventually martyred by spears while praying on a hill in Mylapur in approximately 72 A.D. His body was buried near the site of his death, and a grand church (still standing today) was built to house his tomb. The relics of Saint Thomas were subsequently translated to Mesopotamia, and then again to Ortona, Italy in the thirteenth century (where they remain today).

Saint Thomas has earned himself a rather bad reputation with one statement. However, he also uttered what is certainly the most explicit statement of faith in the New Testament: “My Lord and My God!” (John 20: 28). In so simply and beautifully expressing his faith, Thomas gave all Christians a prayer, said most frequently during the Holy Eucharist.

Saint John Chrysostom said about Thomas: “Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles, toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to savage nations.” If Thomas can change, so, too, can we. When our faith is shaken, we think of Thomas’ doubt… but we also must think of his courage. What will we accomplish when our faith overflows within us, pouring forth in the courageous acclamation, “My Lord and My God!”?

O Glorious Saint Thomas, your grief for Jesus was such that it would not let you believe He had risen unless you actually saw Him and touched His wounds. But your love for Jesus was equally great and it led you to give up your life for Him. Pray for us that we may grieve for our sins which were the cause of Christ's sufferings. Help us to give ourselves in His service and so earn the title of "blessed" which Jesus applied to those who would believe in Him without seeing Him.
Amen.


Inspired by the origins and spiritual history of the Holy Rosary, we continue our meditation on the psalms, one each day, in order, for 150 days.
Today’s Psalm: Psalm 69: A Cry of Anguish in Great Distress

1 Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.
4 Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.
5 You know my folly, O God;
my guilt is not hidden from you.
6 May those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me,
O Lord, the LORD Almighty;
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me,
O God of Israel.
7 For I endure scorn for your sake,
and shame covers my face.
8 I am a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my own mother's sons;
9 for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
10 When I weep and fast,
I must endure scorn;
11 when I put on sackcloth,
people make sport of me.
12 Those who sit at the gate mock me,
and I am the song of the drunkards.
13 But I pray to you, O LORD,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
from the deep waters.
15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.
16 Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
18 Come near and rescue me;
redeem me because of my foes.
19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
all my enemies are before you.
20 Scorn has broken my heart
and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I found none.
21 They put gall in my food
and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
22 May the table set before them become a snare;
may it become retribution and a trap.
23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.
24 Pour out your wrath on them;
let your fierce anger overtake them.
25 May their place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute those you wound
and talk about the pain of those you hurt.
27 Charge them with crime upon crime;
do not let them share in your salvation.
28 May they be blotted out of the book of life
and not be listed with the righteous.
29 I am in pain and distress;
may your salvation, O God, protect me.
30 I will praise God's name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the LORD more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.
32 The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, may your hearts live!
33 The LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that move in them,
35 for God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;
36 the children of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there


Day 184 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Courage and faith; The capacity to change.
Requested Intentions: Healing of illness (P); Small business assistance, blessings on jobs, financial aid for college student (M); Financial assistance (F); For a recovery and sanctification (X); For a daughter struggling with disease and illness (T); For all lost children (I); Prosperity, health, healing, and conversion for a family (M); Health and healing of a mother (A); Healing of heart and mind (T); Healing of a new relationship before marriage (K); Healing of a relationship (T); Eternal rest for the dearly departed, end to financial struggles, successful sale of home, ability to travel on pilgrimage (L); For healing of a stomach illness (L); For the repose of the soul of a sister (C); Vocational security for family, Financial security for daughter beginning college (M); Vocational guidance, courage and strength (I); Health for an ailing nephew (A); Those suffering from depression (J); Successful adoption (S); Healing of a father battling cancer (S).
Psalm: Psalm 69: A Cry of Anguish in Great Distress