Fr Tristan’s 1st Sermon- The Feast of Thomas the Apostle

When I look at the accounts of St. Thomas that we have in the Gospels, I see an interesting character, and one who is very approachable for us in his humanity. A much more interesting character than a mere doubter. I see in Thomas a man of quick judgment but also with a very big heart – a quality that can perhaps be overlooked. And I think that both aspects of head and heart help us to understand his confession: “My Lord and my God”.

One reason for his doubt is very practical. Thomas like the other disciples knows what crucifixion means, and understands the pain it involved. He has also heard that Jesus’ side was wounded with a spear, and that is why he declares that he wants to see the mark of the nails and the wound in Jesus’ side. It will be sufficient proof for the rational part of his mind that he sees a man who has indeed been crucified, and who died without his legs being broken. It also may suggest to us that the appearance of Jesus’ resurrected body was in some way different—so by desiring to see the wounds, Thomas is asking for a reassurance that it is not only a man, but Jesus himself—and his wounds are a sign of victory over death, the scars of a battle triumphantly won. Thomas is also honest enough to admit before his companions that no other proof will satisfy him.

More than that, Thomas asks because he loves Jesus, and does not want anyone or anything to spoil that love: no false report, no delusion. Hence he is very specific about our Lord’s wounds, and in particular his wounded side. In short, Thomas knows that none other will satisfy his heart but Jesus himself. Do you remember how earlier in John’s narrative (Jn 11:16), when Jesus is heading to Bethany to raise Lazarus, Thomas encourages the others with the words “Let us go with him, so that we may die with him”? These are hard words to fathom, but with a very simple message. Thomas realises that going to Bethany, and from there inevitably to Jerusalem, means crucifixion for Jesus —but nevertheless, he is willing in that moment to follow his master because he wants to be at his side always. And later on, at the Last Supper (Jn. 14:5), Thomas had admitted he did not know where Jesus was going, because he had not understood that Jesus was going to the Father. And consider how, on Easter Day, Thomas is most bitterly aware that he had fled three nights ago from being arrested and crucified alongside Jesus. Thomas’s words become equally an admission of his own weakness, as well as of Jesus’ strength in going to the Cross.

As we have heard, Thomas has to wait a whole week, hoping and desiring to see Jesus again, if the reports are indeed true. Perhaps even wrestling in his mind with his high burden of proof that Jesus is risen from the tomb. But on appearing in their midst, Jesus does something so wonderful and characteristic that it is easy to overlook. He immediately articulates Thomas’s thoughts from a week before—in just the way that he had spoken with the disciples during his three-year ministry. And Jesus is prepared to humble himself, if needed—to be handled in his woundedness, in his hands and side—just so that Thomas may believe. For if his disciples are to be courageous witnesses to his resurrection, they must have no doubts. Most of all, it is because Jesus loves Thomas, and wants him to share in the joy of the Resurrection. Thus Thomas knows in his head that the man standing before him is truly his Lord and Master. But equally, his heart knows. As we learn in Scripture (Ps. 44:21, 94:11; Is. 66:18): “Who knows the thoughts of man” but God alone? Therefore Thomas can declare of Jesus, from head and heart: “My Lord and my God!”.

Now please remember how it is not recorded in the Gospel reading we just heard “and lo, Thomas put his finger into the mark of the nails, and his hand into Jesus’ side, and having done so declared ‘my Lord and my God’”. That is not written because it was quite unnecessary. Jesus divine presence and his humble speech were more than sufficient for Thomas. When I hear Thomas’s words, I hear an ecstatic love coming forth from the depth of his heart, filling his every sense. A love that only He who is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, can call forth from us—for God himself is Love. These glorious wounds which healed Thomas’s hurts—they heal our hurts, our own woundedness. When God makes himself present to us, our hearts thrill and burst forth with joy and love—with a love so great that our frail human nature can scarcely bear its intensity. So I can easily believe that Thomas remembered that day not for his doubts, but for the love awakened in his heart when Jesus stood before him.

And wonderful to declare! Jesus is present among us today. He gives us his body for food, and his precious blood for drink because he loves us, in order that we may truly believe. We see them under the forms of bread and wine, but our hearts assure us that it is Jesus himself. Who else would humble himself so much as to become food for our bodies and nourishment for our souls? Only one who loves us so greatly as to give his life for us. So whenever you have any doubt, turn your gaze to behold Him hanging on the Cross for your sins. And when you believe, gaze in love upon His glorious wounds with which he won your Salvation.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.