Thomas,
one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus
came.” He was the only disciple absent; on his return he heard what
had happened but refused to believe it. The Lord came a second time;
he offered his side for the disbelieving disciple to touch, held out
his hands, and showing the scars of his wounds, healed the wound of
disbelief. Dearly beloved, what do you see in these events? Do you
really believe that it was by chance that this chosen disciple was
absent, then came and heard, heard and doubted, doubted and touched,
touched and believed? It was not by chance but in God’s providence.
In a marvelous way God’s mercy arranged that the disbelieving
disciple, in touching the wounds of his master’s body, should heal
our wounds of disbelief. The disbelief of Thomas has done more for
our faith than the faith of the other disciples. As he touches Christ
and is won over to belief, every doubt is cast aside and our faith is
strengthened. So the disciple who doubted, then felt Christ’s
wounds, becomes a witness to the reality of the resurrection.
Touching Christ, he cried out: “‘My Lord and my God.’ Jesus
said to him: ‘Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have
believed.’” Paul said: “Faith is the guarantee of things hoped
for, the evidence of things unseen.” It is clear, then, that faith
is the proof of what cannot be seen. What is seen gives knowledge,
not faith. When Thomas saw and touched, why was he told: “You have
believed because you have seen me?” Because what he saw and what he
believed were different things. God cannot be seen by mortal man.
Thomas saw a human being, whom he acknowledged to be God, and said:
“My Lord and my God.” Seeing, he believed ; looking at one who
was true man, he cried out that this was God, the God he could not
see. What follows is reason for great joy: “Blessed are those who
have not seen and have believed.” There is here a particular
reference to ourselves. We are included in these words, but only if
we follow up our faith with good works. The true believer practices
what he believes. But of those who pay only lip service to faith,
Paul has this to say: “They profess to know God, but they deny him
in their works.” Therefore James says: “Faith without works is
dead.”
--
Pope Saint Gregory the Great from
a homily
