Advent is a season of waiting and anticipation. Specifically, it is a season of waiting for the birth of the Messiah, the Christmas Child Jesus. While this year’s Christmas is coming soon, and Jesus was already born over 2,000 years ago, we still wait. Only now, we are not waiting for Jesus’ birth, death, resurrection, or ascension. No, we wait for His return.
Enter St. Thomas, also known as Doubting Thomas the Apostle. Tomorrow marks the official feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle. In scripture, St. Thomas is famously known for saying, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25, ESV). Well, eight days later Jesus invited St. Thomas to place his finger in Jesus’ wounds and his response was, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28, ESV). This short sentence began his transformation from being Doubting Thomas towards being St. Thomas.
We are not unlike Doubting Thomas, as we, too, have our doubts. We wonder, when will Jesus return? Why is my life so hard? How can I discern through doctrinal trends to remain devout? All these areas and more create doubt in our current lives. Yet, like Doubting Thomas, we must respond in faith and say, “My Lord and my God!” Only then will our transformation begin, an understanding that occurs on the other side of faith, not before it.
We are not unlike Doubting Thomas, as we, too, have our doubts. We wonder, when will Jesus return? Why is my life so hard? How can I discern through doctrinal trends to remain devout? All these areas and more create doubt in our current lives. Yet, like Doubting Thomas, we must respond in faith and say, “My Lord and my God!” Only then will our transformation begin, an understanding that occurs on the other side of faith, not before it.
Today, we celebrate St. Thomas for his step of faith. A life where tradition teaches that he went beyond the Roman Empire into Persia and India to preach the Gospel. There, he was speared to death by Hindu Priests, and others likely speared him to death. Despite his death, the Gospel remained as Christians have always been in the Far East, likely due to St. Thomas’ missionary journey during the First Century.
Waiting is tough and can create doubt. However, in the meantime, celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas. Start by anticipating Christmas well. Give to the poor. Mark the day by doing final Christmas preparations so you’re ready to focus on Jesus come Christmas day. Then you can reflect and ask yourself, how will He use my current doubt to transform and lead me into new areas of faith? Areas that are beyond imagination and will glorify Jesus Christ! Remember, doubt is only a temporary drought because Jesus is forever!
Collect (Prayer) of the Day
Everliving God, you strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son’s resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Taken from the ACNA Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Bible Reading
John 20:24-29 (ESV)
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 mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, 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 disbelieve, but believe.” 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 have believed.”
Photo credit: The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio, c. 1602.
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