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FEAST OF SAINT THOMAS, APOSTLE




1st Reading               Ephesians 2:19-22
Psalm                          Psalm 116:1-2
Gospel                        John 20:24-29


Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Thomas, the apostle. What dawns with the mention of Thomas, the apostle is his popularly attributed doubt for which some find it easy to call him the 'doubting Thomas'.

The Gospel of today narrates the specific event in which Thomas' doubt of Christ is recorded. I would, however want us to reflect on two important things. The first being that Thomas was referred to as a “twin”. This is very interesting. 

Scripture records individuals who are twins or two people who are related (eg. Peter and Andrew, James and John, etc).  We never hear of Thomas' twin. The Greek term used to refer to twin as used in today's Gospel is "Δίδυμος" (Didumos). This word connotes an element of twinship, a dual composition.

Two conflicting elements are found within the same person. He may change at anytime. This is an individual who is not straight-minded, not decisive. Within each of us there is that twin element. There is that conflicting and opposing self.

The second important thing I would want us to reflect on today is the fact that Jesus entered a room which was locked. In fact, he stood in among them. Where did he pass? Jewish houses have their rooms locked from the inside too, although there are strategies to lock them from outside. Only the one inside can open the door. 

We have to know that this is a time when fear grips the disciples of Jesus because Jesus had just been crucified and the disciples were protecting themselves from the raged populace who sought to kill them. Jesus enters and proclaims peace. 

Today, I do not intend to draw any pedagogy or to communicate any lesson. Today, I would want us, individually, to reflect and apply these two indications from the Gospel to our lives and assess ourselves. 

 Pax et Bonum

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