ST.THOMAS -THE APOSTLE OF INDIA

Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and My God” (John.20:28)

“One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the twin) was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then stretch out your hand and put it on my side. Stop your doubting and believe!”

Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and My God” (John.20:28)

The deep desire to see his Beloved Master as well as the mutual love of Lord Jesus and St. Thomas is crystal clear here. He was thirsty /eager to meet Lord Jesus and knew that Jesus would appear again to meet him.

As we delve deeper into the Bible we can learn that since Thomas’ love towards The Lord was superior among others, he assured that it was his right to meet the Risen Lord.

Through his words to the other disciples, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe,” he was courageously claiming that ‘surely my Master will come forgiving and forgetting my absence there’.

He might have invited The Risen Lord by remembering the Precious Wounds.

When Lord Jesus appeared and called Thomas by his name, it proves the individual love of our Lord.

By touching the precious Wound of Jesus, Thomas gained a lot of courage and was filled with God’s Love once again, taking him to the deepest repentance.

Then He confessed His deep faith and was sure that the power of the Resurrected Lord went into his body when he sighed, “My Lord and My God.”

None in the Gospel fell into such deep relation with Lord Jesus. Here we see the mystery of the Risen Lord and with the thirst of Evangelization Spirit, St. Thomas went out into the world to spread Evangelization of the Good News.

The missionary zeal and love for his Master bought St. Thomas to Kodungalore, India in AD 52. He preached about our God and established the communities and churches. While he was at Mylapore he was stabbed to death in AD 72 at Chinnamalai. He was buried at Mylapore and later his mortal remains were transferred to Edessa in Syria and then to Orthona in Italy.

Even today his followers are filled with the grace to suffer and die for Christ. May the Glory of God be worshipped and honored for providing us such strong foundation for our faith.

Praise God for all Martyrs and Saints in Heaven, who are still working with us.

O Lord Jesus Christ, graciously be kind enough to deepen our grace of repentance daily and help us to serve You, our Savior whole heartedly.

St. Thomas, Apostle of India, Pray for us!