Unless I see the mark of the nails…
Published Jul 3, 2021 12:17 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus is the capstone of the whole structure of the assembly of God. He is the one that joins together all the stones into one: “Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord” (Eph 2:21). The Apostles and prophets are our models in making ourselves open to a holy fellowship with other believers, other members of the household of God. Thomas, in today’s Gospel, was not in the original gathering of disciples when Jesus appeared in their midst. No wonder, he finds it hard to believe the story of his companions. But Jesus comes a week later and invites Thomas to touch his hands and his side. Thomas exclaims, “My Lord and my God!” We are not told that Thomas did touch Jesus; what is enough is the invitation of the risen Lord to come and touch him. Thomas, who was disconnected to the community because of his unbelief, now joins the community of believers. The capstone that holds everyone—Apostles, prophets, and community of believers—is none other than Jesus, the wounded and the risen Lord.
GOSPEL • JOHN 20:24-29
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 Thomas 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.”
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
Jesus is the capstone of the whole structure of the assembly of God. He is the one that joins together all the stones into one: “Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord” (Eph 2:21). The Apostles and prophets are our models in making ourselves open to a holy fellowship with other believers, other members of the household of God. Thomas, in today’s Gospel, was not in the original gathering of disciples when Jesus appeared in their midst. No wonder, he finds it hard to believe the story of his companions. But Jesus comes a week later and invites Thomas to touch his hands and his side. Thomas exclaims, “My Lord and my God!” We are not told that Thomas did touch Jesus; what is enough is the invitation of the risen Lord to come and touch him. Thomas, who was disconnected to the community because of his unbelief, now joins the community of believers. The capstone that holds everyone—Apostles, prophets, and community of believers—is none other than Jesus, the wounded and the risen Lord.
GOSPEL • JOHN 20:24-29
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 Thomas 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.”
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.