Page 4 - Faith Connections Issue 2 (4)
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ISSUE 2                                                                                 JULY 2021










































      St. Thomas                                                     Thomas doubts the word of his fellow apostles when they tell
                                                                     him, “We have seen the Lord.” He says that unless he also
                                                                     sees, he will not believe. Let us not imitate Thomas at this
                                                                     moment, for “blessed are those who have not seen and have
      and Faith                                                      believed” (John 20:29).

                                                                     Yet, eight days later, on this day, the eighth day of Pascha
                                                                     (Easter), Thomas also sees the Lord, who appears among
      in America                                                     them again in the upper room even though the doors are
                                                                     locked. Jesus says to Thomas, offering himself and his
                                                                     wounds to be touched and probed, “Do not be faithless, but
                                                                     believing” (John 20:27).

                                                                     And upon seeing the risen Lord and hearing this, Thomas
                                                                     makes his statement of great faith: “My Lord and my God.” If
                                                                     you will notice, Thomas is the first person in the gospels –
                                                                     perhaps the first person on this earth – to call Jesus “God” in
                                                                     such a direct and unadorned way.
                                        By Sister                    It is to be remembered that St. Thomas the Apostle did more


                                        Mary Ann                     than just doubt, though his doubt is, without doubt, just what
                                                                     St. Thomas is best remembered for. But it is in the doubt of
                                                                     Thomas that the reason for conviction lies hidden—that what
                                        Marshall                     is essential is invisible to the eye. The ultimatum and

                                                                     understanding of Thomas is a moment in the Gospel bearing
                                                                     an emotional force that will never grow dull, reminding all of
                                                                     the blessedness that awaits those who believe without the
                                                                     testimony of their eyes and hands. Faith teaches us, together
                                                                     with Thomas, that seeing is not necessarily believing.



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            PAGE 4                                         FAITH IN OUR COUNTRY EDITION | ISSUE 2
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