Today, we reflect on a powerful moment of doubt and belief, a moment that shows us how God meets us right where we are. Even the greatest doubters can become the greatest believers when they encounter the risen Lord. This is the story of Thomas – a story that speaks to each of us.
From doubt to faith: encountering the Risen Lord
We see someone go from complete doubt to full faith almost instantly. The greatest doubter becomes the greatest believer. But how did that happen?
So, the question is: how did he come to believe? The text teaches us three things.
Listen carefully to the eyewitnesses. John: 19-24 tells us that Jesus appeared to the disciples in a particular room, and Thomas was not there. One week later, Jesus appears again. During that week, what happened?
The other disciples kept telling Thomas: “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas replied, “I don’t care what you say. I just cannot believe it.” The eyewitnesses were speaking directly to Thomas.
Fr Gayan Thamel greets parishioners at St Luke’s. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
You and I have the same access that Thomas had. The eyewitness accounts of people who saw Jesus alive after His resurrection are available to us too. Thomas had eyewitness testimony from those who were alive at that time.
Today, we have those same accounts, written down in the New Testament. Let me ask you: how many events in history do you personally witness? Very few, if any. Yet, we believe them because reliable eyewitnesses recorded them.
That’s exactly how Thomas received the testimony – and that’s how we receive it today.
Listening, seeing, believing: the journey of Thomas
Secondly, we must understand that it is Jesus Himself who reaches out to us. Thomas, knowing that Jesus had appeared the previous week, insisted: “Unless I see the wounds in His hands and side, I will not believe.”
And then Jesus shows up. He says: “Put your hand here and see my side.” Imagine Thomas’ thoughts: “How did you know I said that? Where did you hear it?” He was shocked because he realised that Jesus had been listening to him all along – right there, at his elbow.
Wounded yet glorified: discovering the love of Christ
Thirdly, the meaning of the glorified wounds is profound. One striking detail: Thomas said, “I want to touch His wounds. Unless I do, I will not believe.” Jesus invites him, yet the text never says Thomas actually touches.
Why not? Perhaps Thomas thought the wounds were merely proof that Jesus was alive. But when he saw them, they revealed something far greater.
Why would a resurrected body still have wounds? A glorified body should not be subject to death – it should be perfect. Yet these wounds remain.
The principle here is profound: often, the deepest wounds in our own lives drive us closer to God. They become glorified wounds. When Jesus shows Thomas His wounds, He transforms their meaning.
The wounds that once symbolised suffering and death now signify life and love. Those wounds that seemed to destroy hope have, in fact, saved lives.
Thomas thought the wounds were evidence of life, but Jesus shows that they are evidence of love. The risen Christ is not saying: “Look at me, see what I can do.”
He is saying: “Look at these wounds, see how much I love you, and see how far I am willing to go for you.”
Friends, the story of Thomas reminds us that doubt is not the end. God meets us in our doubts, listens to our hearts, and reveals His love in ways that surpass our understanding.
The wounds of Christ are not signs of defeat – they are signs of victory, of love that conquers death and transforms our lives.
Let us, like Thomas, proclaim with full faith: “My Lord and My God.”
Fr Gayan Thamel is the Parish Priest of St Luke’s Catholic Parish Marsden Park
This reflection is an example of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priority of Formation to achieve the objective of becoming a Humble and Healing Church. Visit Synodality to learn more.
