Commentary on the Gospel of
Though Jesus gently rebukes Thomas for insisting on seeing him in order to be convinced of his resurrection, one must commend Thomas for the proof of identity he seeks in Christ. For, Thomas does not say, “Until I have seen him multiplying bread or walking on water or raising Mr. X into life, I will not believe.” Instead, what does Thomas insist on? “Until I have seen in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Indeed, it is the wounds of Jesus—wounds of love—that Thomas seeks as the identity of Jesus. And he was right because when Jesus appeared to the disciples on another occasion and they had difficulty recognizing him, it is the very same wounds that Jesus shows to convince them: “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see” (Lk 24:39). Of all the disciples, Thomas was the one most willing to go forth and die with him (Jn 11:16). Thomas seems to have grasped the mystery of the passion and death of Christ.
St Thomas, intercede for us that we may have the gift of recognizing Jesus in the wounded, the suffering, and the dying.
Credits: Claretian Bible Diary
Paulson Veliyannoor, CMF
frpaulson@gmail.com
