a year of prayer: 365 Rosaries

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.


Year 2: Day 184 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Courage and faith; The capacity to change.