Thomas is more famous for doubting than for anything else, and his good buddy John snitched to the world about it (see John 20: 24-29) – hence his name “Doubting Thomas.” But Thomas was also the first person to volunteer to die with Jesus (John 11: 16). He ran away the first time he got the chance to do it (Mark 14: 50), but we have to give him credit for good intentions. 

 Thomas took things kind of literally. When Jesus, at the Last Supper, said, “I’m going away to prepare a place for you… And where I’m going, you know, and the way you know,” Thomas jumped right in with, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus didn’t give an answer that would have enlightened Thomas much, but it is one of the most beautiful lines in the Gospels, and we can thank Thomas for it: Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” It just goes to show you that dumb questions can spark really useful answers. Maybe Thomas should be the patron of people who ask dumb questions. And maybe if we asked a few more questions about what we read in the Gospels, we would get some helpful answers too. 

Jesus accepted Thomas for what he was. When Thomas said, “I won’t believe Jesus has risen unless I can put my finger into the places where the nails went through His hands!” Jesus came back and invited him to do just that. He liked Thomas. And He likes us too, with all our faults and shortcomings. Because of Thomas, we know it is okay to ask Jesus stupid questions and make dumb requests. We are frequently surprised at how far Jesus will bend to answer us.  

Tradition has it that Thomas died a martyr in India, having been stabbed with a spear. He may have been a slow learner, but he finally got the point!  

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #593, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.