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APRIL 8
TRUSTING OTHERS
“But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, 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 the mark of the nails in his hands,
and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will
not believe. A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas
was with them. Although the doors were shut, 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. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not
doubt 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 come to believe.’” (Jn 20:24-29)
The news of the resurrection was meant to be spread by eye-witnesses.
The first to receive the news are the women, but their testimony is not
believed by the disciples. And then it is the disciples who are visited by
the risen Lord, when they are all gathered, except Thomas, and they pass
on the news to Thomas. But he does not believe the witness of the others,
demanding more evidence. So the risen Lord comes to them once again,
when Thomas is present and despite the “shut doors,” and gives this
disciple what he had demanded. Nonetheless Christ rebukes Thomas for
not having believed in the first place; for not having trusted the witness
of the others. The Lord was calling the disciples to trust one another,
because mutual trust was essential for their unity in faith, as Church.
Today I note that the Lord entrusted His message to human witnesses,
to teach us to trust one another; to fortify one another in faith. Thus my
faith is given to me, and strengthened in me, through others. Despite the
“shut doors” of my fears or doubts, the Lord enters my life in the context
of fellowship with other human beings.
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