Saturday, December 21, 2024
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
John 14:5-6
Today, the church commemorates Saint Thomas, the Apostle.
Our readings deviate from the daily lectionary, and the Gospel reading come from the Gospel according to John.
Practically all the information we have about Thomas is found in John’s Gospel.
There are three key pronouncements he makes which give us insights into his personality.
Before Jesus visited his friend Lazarus, over the disciples’ objections, Thomas said, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16)
In our lectionary reading for this day, he asks Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (see above)
But Thomas is perhaps best known unfairly as “Doubting Thomas” because of he doubted Jesus’ resurrection, which led to his confession of faith, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)
In Philip Pfatteicher’s New Book of Festivals and Commemorations contains a portion of a sermon by Lutheran Pastor (and Danish playwright) Kaj Munk, who was martyred for his stand against Nazi Germany. Munk writes:
And now, this Gospel is for you, my Christian friend, who struggles with doubt and faith, with anxiety and denial. This is the Gospel that does not come to catechize you and force upon you certain dogmas, or to condemn you, but comes only to listen to the heartbeat of your soul. If it leans toward Jesus no matter what happens it has chosen Him and wants to belong to Him, then the Gospel says to you: Be faithful, continue in the faith.
(Pfatteicher, p. 618)
It is great to have assurance of faith, but perhaps you do not belong to those who can always take this for granted. However, the Master is also able to use the Thomas type. Such people have a place in His group of disciples. And let me tell you that when the time is at hand, Jesus himself will come and bring an end to your uncertainty and your timid spirit. You will understand that it is not what you fail to understand that matters. Christ has had disciples who did not understand many things. Do not just stare blindly at them. Let not the devil fool you into thinking that unless you understand these things, you cannot be a disciple of Christ.
Tradition tells us that Thomas traveled to India as a missionary, where he also was martyred.
Let us pray.
Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son’s resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Lesser Feasts and Fasts, p. 569)
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Artwork: St. Thomas, from Rubens’ Twelve Apostles Series. Peter Paul Rubens – Museo del Prado