ST. THOMAS APOSTLE OF INDIA

SOLEMNITY OF ST. THOMAS, APOSTLE OF INDIA

Introduction:          Tradition tells us that Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, after evangelising other parts of the East, finally came to India. He evangelised many parts of this country, especially the South and at the end received the martyr’s crown at Mylapore. We thank God for giving Thomas as our apostle, and pray for our country in a special way. We shall pray that our nation, known for its relentless search for God from time immemorial, may come to recognise and accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

The Homily:           Today is the Solemnity of St. Thomas, Apostle of India. ‘Solemnity’ is a big word, usually reserved for the Feasts of the Lord, not the feats of the Saints. So how did Thomas sneak into this honour reserved for the Lord? Can any canonised do-gooder be foisted on to the Lord’s domain? Well, if you look more closely you’ll understand that there wouldn’t be a Thomas unless there was a Jesus. Were it not for Jesus, Thomas would have lived and died in Palestine and no one would have coined the expression “doubting Thomas.”

It is in St. John’s Gospel that Thomas emerges as a personality. There are three scenes in John’s Gospel where we meet with Thomas the apostle.

Scene one:             Jesus is at work across the Jordan away from Jerusalem. Martha sends word that Lazarus, her brother and Jesus’ friend is ill. Two days after receiving the news, Jesus decides to go to Lazarus, who by then is dead. The disciples are jittery about going to Jerusalem where hatred and enmity towards Jesus has been growing; they’d rather not take the risk. But Thomas speaks up: “let us go that we may die with him.” To share fully in the life and perils of Christ: that is what Thomas is ready to embrace.

Scene two:   the discourse after the last supper. Jesus has been telling the apostles about his departure from this world, about his return to the Father, to prepare a place for them. This sort of talk went above their heads; so Thomas, speaking on their behalf, asks: “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  Jesus gives the never-before-heard reply: “I am the Way, I am the Truth and I am the Life.” We owe to Thomas this mysterious but beautiful revelation of who Jesus is. Through Jesus Christ the Father takes possession of us. Thomas’ question not merely manifests his ignorance, but also his searching and probing mind, his desire for clarity and comprehension.

Scene three is the Gospel reading we have just heard today. It gives us a glimpse of two sides of Thomas. First, the unbelieving Thomas will submit only after some physical assessment of the body of Jesus. (Could our friend have been an MBBS?) Jesus takes on Tom on the latter’s terms and invites him to do the physical. Which brings us to the other side: Thomas the unbeliever is demolished and in his place Thomas the humble proclaimer: “My Lord and my God!” This is the most beautiful confession of faith ever recorded in human literature. Jesus our dear Lord replies with that last and most reassuring beatitude: “Blessed are they who have not seen and yet believe.”

In all these three scenes Thomas is presented as a man of loyalty and courage. He is ready to share the lot of Christ. Yet, like the other apostles, he lacks understanding. Not one of them really understood Jesus. His whole person, his words and deeds are from and to the Father. So when Jesus speaks of his departure to the Father, they are nonplussed. Thomas has the courage to confess his ignorance and ask for clarification. When he’s in doubt, he says so; he can show himself different from the others. He even puts conditions to Christ. And when the light of truth shines on him he is humble and receptive. We often speak of the doubting Thomas; but we oughtn’t to forget the loyal and courageous Thomas; the questioning and searching Thomas; the open, humble and adoring Thomas. And is there anything to stop us internalising these qualities for ourselves and our countrymen?

          So with St. Thomas, let us today affirm our loyalty to Jesus Christ and say: “Let us go with him in order that we may die with him, cost what it may,” knowing that Jesus goes ahead of us, making it easier for us to follow, since we also affirm our total and profound faith in Jesus Christ “Our Lord and our God.” Then in the stillness of our hearts we shall hear him saying: “Blessed are you since you have believed without seeing with the eyes of the flesh; blessed are you for accepting me the Way, the Truth and the Life. And go tell everyone that I am the Way for all people to follow in order that they come to the Truth and have Life to the full.”

  Prayer: (Erasmus [1466-1536]): Lord Jesus Christ, you said that you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Let us never stray from you, who are the Way; nor distrust you who are the Truth; nor rest in any other but you who are the Life, beyond whom there is nothing to be desired, either in heaven or on earth. We ask this for your name’s sake.