July 3 ~ St. Thomas

FRATERNITY is doubting and then believing

Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained. ~ John 20:22-23

Like the other apostles (except for Judas Iscariot), Thomas was from Galilee, and - in spite of his weakness - was committed to being a follower of Christ.

Thomas is best known for his initial unwillingness to believe in Jesus' Resurrection; instead of accepting the testimony of others, he demanded to see the Risen LORD for himself (John 21:24-29). His statement of doubt ("unless I see and touch, I will not believe"), however, was later replaced by an expression of faith ("my LORD and my God!"). Also,. Thomas had on an earlier occasion expressed a willingness to die for Christ (John 11:16). According to legend, St. Thomas did indeed die for Christ, being martyred in southern India after spending some years there as a missionary. ~ J.M. Guerin

Spiritual growth is not always a steady progression; it often has ups and downs. We, like St. Thomas, tend to be doubtful, but do we have to see the Risen LORD in order to genuinely believe in Him?

Help row the other's boat across, and lo! thine own has reached the shore. ~ Hindu Proverb

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