Gospel – John 20:19-31

Second Sunday of Easter

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But he said to them,
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples
that are not written in this book.
But these are written that you may come to believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Reflection on the Gospel

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

The ‘commentaries’ I refer to here are recent. I also consulted some earlier thinkers I respect: First, Saint Augustine of Hippo. Augustine takes the New Testament as real news and then looks for the meaning. He championed multiple interpretations.

Two other scholars I consulted: Martin Luther (of 95 theses fame), and John Calvin, along with Luther, a giant of the Reformation. Men of a different time, they knew the scriptures intimately. Their contributions here, however one understands the men, are not problematic. Just saying.

Doubting Thomas often seems under a cloud. Writings on this brief episode reach the clouds. Pope Benedict XVI said Thomas had ‘a low level of understanding’ [9/27/06]. John Calvin calls the skeptic ‘monstrous.’ More positively, ancient authors, Origen, Ambrose and others extolled him as a tireless missionary. Surely Thomas wanted to believe his intimate friends, but his sense of plausibility rebelled. The swirl of rumor and fear after Jesus’ execution would have suggested caution. For a long time, his sensible prudence didn’t make Thomas a sympathetic everyman. As doubt’s reputation has improved, Thomas also gained understanding, even support.

What of John’s gospel, does it present Thomas as personifying weak faith or none? John portrays Thomas elsewhere as strong and brave. When Lazarus died and Jesus proposed going to Bethany, Thomas instantly urged all to go along despite the authorities’ hostility to Jesus. “Let us also go that we may die with him.” [11:16] Still, the way John structures the ‘doubt’ story suggests a contrast of Thomas with the others. Recall how eight days earlier Jesus had shown Thomas’ companions his ‘hands and side’ so they could believe. Elsewhere Jesus says “touch me.” Is Thomas’ wish to touch really different? No one in the room with him seemed to mind. The Gospel never says Thomas did touch Jesus. People usually take it for granted Thomas put his fingers into Jesus’ side. Maybe they recall Western paintings showing him touching or poking Jesus. But Thomas, spontaneous as in his other scene, declares his belief–“my Lord and my God”–as soon as Jesus finishes speaking.

In Matthew, some of the eleven ‘doubt’ right up to witnessing Jesus’ final departure [28-17 KJV]. Thomas, however, –immediately professed his faith. Eastern Christian pictures show Thomas differently—portrait style, alone and young. His declaration of faith often appears on a scroll he holds. I picture him as a courageous youngster who remained in good standing with the older followers. Going to people who would never see Jesus at all needed faithful messengers like brave Thomas.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.

Brother Charles O’Connell, FSC

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Catholic University, Br. Charles earned graduate degrees from Syracuse University and NYU, and has taught at St. John’s College High School, CBA-Syracuse, Manhattan College; and La Salle Academy-NYC. Disabled by the long term effects of polio, he now resides at De La Salle Hall.