Daily Catholic Lectio. Wed, 3 July 2024. Thomas called the twin

Daily Catholic Lectio

Wed, 3 July 2024

Saint Thomas, Apostle. Solemnity

Isa 52:7-10. Eph 2:19-22. Jn 20:24-29

Thomas called the twin

Today we solemnise Saint Thomas, the so-called Apostle to India. It was through his hands that the forefathers of our soil touched the side of the Risen Lord and received faith. Saint Thomas is the hyphen between Jesus and us in India.

After the death of Jesus, the apostles act on three levels: (a) Some hide themselves behind the doors for fear of Jews. Those who remained in Jerusalem did so. (b) Some returned to Galilee to resume their fishing and other works. (c) Thomas was moving one among the people – maybe collecting information about what goes in and around Jerusalem.

The Fourth Gospel (John) contains a lot of information on Thomas. When Jesus departed for Bethany after hearing about the demise of his beloved friend Lazarus, Thomas said to the fellow apostles, pointing to the Lord, ‘Come, let us go and die with him’ (cf. Jn 11:16). This not only foretells that Jesus will die but also tells about Thomas’ wish to be with Jesus.

Later, at the Farewell Discourse, after the foot-washing, Thomas’ question, ‘How can we know the way?’ Jesus answers, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life’ (Jn 14:6).

After Jesus’ resurrection, when the Lord appeared the second time to the apostles, Thomas surrendered, saying, ‘My Lord, and My God.’ This is his profession of faith.

In the first reading of the day, the prophet Isaiah exclaims, ‘How beautiful are the feet that announce the good news?’ This oracle gives hope to the people in exile. In the ancient world, messengers would usually climb a mountain or a high place to make an announcement. The feet of Thomas are beautiful because they brought good news to our country. We, too, are called to be bearers of the good news.

In the second reading, Paul, using the metaphor of a building, drives home the idea that the church has a structure that is harmonious and in unison. The apostles are the foundation of the building. The apostles are called so because they hold the deposit of faith.

Two apocryphal writings are attributed to Thomas: ‘Gospel of Thomas,’ and ‘Acts of Thomas.’ Both contain a lot of wisdom sayings.

In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus reveals himself to Thomas as ‘Lord’. The key message of the gospel is, ‘Be a passer-by!’ This has a lot of implications for our lives as well. This image makes us less aspiring, less anxious, and less distracted.

The Gospel of John calls Thomas the Twin (in Greek, didymus). Some say he is one of the two twin siblings. Some say that this title refers to his character. Thomas was running between two poles: on the one hand, he was faithless, and on the other, he surrendered totally. We too run like Thomas, at times!

May the Apostle of Our Land inspire us to surrender to the Lord! May he inspire us to live as passers-by in this world.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy