24 Now T’oma (the name means “twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Yeshua came. 25 When the other talmidim told him, “We have seen the Lord,” he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger into the place where the nails were and put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe it.”
26 A week later his talmidim were once more in the room, and this time T’oma was with them. Although the doors were locked, Yeshua came, stood among them and said, “Shalom aleikhem!” 27 Then he said to T’oma, “Put your finger here, look at my hands, take your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be lacking in trust, but have trust!” 28 T’oma answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Yeshua said to him, “Have you trusted because you have seen me? How blessed are those who do not see, but trust anyway!”
30 In the presence of the talmidim Yeshua performed many other miracles which have not been recorded in this book. 31 But these which have been recorded are here so that you may trust that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by this trust you may have life because of who he is.
2nd Sunday of Easter or Sunday of Divine MercyMy Lord and my God! (John 20:28)
Sometimes we get labeled, whether justly or unjustly. This is certainly the case in today’s Gospel reading. Jesus had appeared to the apostles, but Thomas had not been present. When the other apostles told him about it, he couldn’t accept it. Even though they had been together for three years, he still doubted them.
The Gospel of John is filled with expressions that give honor to Jesus. Some people called Jesus a great prophet. Others called him a teacher. Still others called him the Christ or even the Son of God. But it was the apostle Thomas—the one who has forever been labeled the “doubter”—who first proclaimed Jesus to be “my Lord and my God” (John 20:28). In the words of biblical scholar Fr. Raymond Brown, Thomas made “the most complete affirmation of Christ’s nature to be found on the lips of anyone in the Gospel.”
My Lord and my God! Every miracle Jesus performed, be it the healing of the man who was lowered down through the roof, the healing of the blind Bartimaeus, or the raising of Lazarus, points to these four words. Every teaching Jesus gave, be it the Sermon on the Mount, the parable of the prodigal son, or the Golden Rule, points to these four words. Every revelation of God’s mercy and love points to who Jesus is and how he wants us to see him.
This story about Thomas tells the story of every believer in the history of the Church. Thomas represents each of us when we say, “I find it hard to believe.” Just as Jesus rejuvenated Thomas’ faith, he wants to rejuvenate ours when we are caught up in doubt. He wants us to be like Thomas—a people who overcome our very human and very natural doubts. He wants to help each one of us say, “Jesus, you are my Lord and my God.”
So today and all week long, proclaim these four precious words. Then watch to see how his grace will help you believe even more.
“Jesus, you are my Lord and my God!” Amen!
Acts 5:12 Meanwhile, through the emissaries many signs and miracles continued to be done among the people. United in mind and purpose, the believers met in Shlomo’s Colonnade; 13 and no one else dared to join them. Nevertheless, the people continued to regard them highly; 14 and throngs of believers were added to the Lord, both men and women. 15 They went so far as to bring the sick into the streets and lay them on mattresses and stretchers, so that at least Kefa’s shadow might fall on them as he passed by. 16 Crowds also gathered from the towns around Yerushalayim, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits; and every one of them was healed.
Psalm 118:2 Now let Isra’el say,
“His grace continues forever.”
3 Now let the house of Aharon say,
“His grace continues forever.”
4 Now let those who fear Adonai say,
“His grace continues forever.”
13 You pushed me hard to make me fall,
but Adonai helped me.
14 Yah is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.
15 The sound of rejoicing and victory
is heard in the tents of the righteous:
“Adonai’s right hand struck powerfully!
22 The very rock that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone!
23 This has come from Adonai,
and in our eyes it is amazing.
24 This is the day Adonai has made,
a day for us to rejoice and be glad.
Revelation 1:9 I, Yochanan, am a brother of yours and a fellow-sharer in the suffering, kingship and perseverance that come from being united with Yeshua. I had been exiled to the island called Patmos for having proclaimed the message of God and borne witness to Yeshua. 10 I came to be, in the Spirit, on the Day of the Lord; and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet, 11 saying, “Write down what you see on a scroll, and send it to the seven Messianic communities — Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea!” 12 I turned around to see who was speaking to me; and when I had turned, I saw seven gold menorahs; 13 and among the menorahs was someone like a Son of Man, wearing a robe down to his feet and a gold band around his chest.[Revelation 1:13 Daniel 7:13; 10:5]
17 When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand upon me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last, 18 the Living One. I was dead, but look! — I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys to Death and Sh’ol. 19 So write down what you see, both what is now, and what will happen afterwards.
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