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The Catholic Defender: The Faith And Call Of The Apostle St. Thomas
St. John writes, "Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe (John 20:24-25).”
Because of St. Thomas response, He will be forever be remembered as the Doubting Thomas.
Are we being too hard on poor St. Thomas? If so this was not for Long as Jesus again appears eight days later and this time St. Thomas was present.
St. John writes of this encounter, "Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe (John 20:26-29).”
This event would change St. Thomas forever, we might recall the nine Beatitudes found in Matthew (Matthew 5:1-11),
some would say Jesus gives a tenth Beatitude saying, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe”!
St. Thomas is mentioned by St. john to be with the Apostles at the Sea of Tiberias fishing when Jesus again appears to them. This event is important because St. John gives the colorful picture of the Apostles hauling in 153 fish representing every nation, tribe, and people of the earth. The one net that did not bust represents the one faith without schism.
Jesus leads His Apostles towards Bethany when He gave them the “Great Commission” to go to all nations and baptize them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and to teach them everything He commanded them.
Jesus then Ascends into Heaven, this too, St. Thomas witnessed.
In 49 A.D., the Apostles were in Jerusalem for the first Council regarding questions of the Law of Moses and the Covenant of circumcision. Did a Gentile convert have to become a Jew under the Law of Moses before they were allowed to be a Christian. The Church ultimately said no, it is the law of grace that is the foundation of the new Covenant. The Sacrament!
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