Jesus’ disciples had a great experience and Thomas was absent. As soon as they meet him, they shared their joy: “We have seen the Lord!”
Thomas listened to them with scepticism. Why should he believe such story?
How could they see Jesus full of life after having died on a cross? Probably, he was someone else.
The disciples tell him that He had shown them the wounds in his hands and chest. Thomas would not believe anyone’s testimony. He would have to check everything by himself: “Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.” He will believe nothing but his own eyes and hands.
This disciple is not ready to believe just anything; he is going to teach us and show us the long way to believe in the risen Christ for those of us who have not even seen Jesus’ face, haven’t heard his words and have not experienced his embrace.
Eight days later, the disciples were in the house again, when Jesus appeared once more to them. Jesus spoke to Thomas, who was present this time. Jesus does not reprimand him for doubting. After all, those doubts, under the circumstances, were nothing reprehensible. His resistance to believe them, if anything, might show his honesty. Jesus understands him and goes near him to show his wounds.
Jesus is willing to satisfy Thomas’ conditions: “Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.” Those wounds, more than “proofs” to certify something, become real signs of His love even unto His death. Hence, Jesus invites him to satisfy well beyond his doubts: “Doubt no longer, but believe.”
Thomas does not need any verification. He does not demand any proofs.
He has felt his Master’s presence, as well as his love, his attraction and his invitation to believe. Thomas, having walked the longest and hardest road to find Jesus and believe in Him, now proclaims his deepest faith in Him: “My Lord and my God!” Nobody had confessed Jesus so well.
We should never feel ashamed if we, sometimes, have doubts or questions about our faith. Doubts that arise spontaneously preserve us from a religious faith that may be too superficial and which is based on popular sayings, totally deprived of trust and love. Doubts often enrich our confidence and stimulate us to understand and embrace the Mystery of the Incarnate Jesus.
Christian faith grows in us when we feel loved and attracted by a God whose face can become visible after reading the Gospels about all his words and deeds. It is only then that his call and invitation become stronger than all our doubts. “Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.”