“Becoming Christians of conviction and certainty, and – like St Thomas – to firmly cry out, in joyful acclamation, ‘My Lord and My God!’”
(Based on the Solemnity of St Thomas, the Apostle of India)
An incident is told about the great English actor Charles Macready and an eminent preacher.
This preacher, once asked Macready a doubt:
“What is the reason for the difference between you and me?
You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction…
… and the crowds come wherever you go.
I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth…
… and I am not getting any crowd at all.”
Macready’s answer was this: “This is quite simple.
I can easily tell you the difference between us.
I present my fiction as though it were truth…
… whereas you present your truth, as though it were fiction.”
Thoughts and words that emerge from true conviction are contagious and impactful!
And true commitment and steadfast faithfulness in life requires the power of convictions and certainty!
Today we celebrate the Feast of St Thomas – who is popularly (or rather infamously) called as the “Doubting Apostle”.
He was probably considered by others as being “adamant” and “proud”…
• It was his search for convictions in life that made him seek for a proof for the Lord’s appearance
• It was his desire for certainty in life that caused him to doubt at the words of his companions over the Lord’s Resurrection.
The Lord realized the worth of this young man- as having a courageous character of convictions!
When we go through the life of St Thomas as seen in the Gospels, we encounter a person constantly displaying courage, expressing commitment and seeking for convictions.
St Thomas indeed stands out among the other apostles…
- It was probably St Thomas who first expressed his desire to give up his life for the Lord and His Kingdom…
“Let us also go, that we may die with Him” (Jn 11: 16)
St Thomas becomes a motivation for all those who follow Christ, to be bold and brave and even to give up one’s life for the Lord and His Kingdom
- It was St Thomas who had the simplicity and the openness to ask Jesus when the Lord had declared that “Where I am going you know the way..” and the Lord had responded “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”…
“Master, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?” (Jn 14:5)
St Thomas becomes a consolation to all those who face genuine uncertainties in spiritual life and encourages to remain like a child – in openness, simplicity and frankness.
- It was St Thomas who refused the trust the words of his companions on the issue of the Jesus’ Resurrection.
He knew that many of his companions had impulsive reactions and therefore, could not be believed for their words.
Therefore, he insisted that his belief in Christ’s Resurrection would depend only on His personal experience with the Lord
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in His Hands and put my finger into His side, I will not believe” (Jn 20:25)
St Thomas becomes a refuge for all those who grapple with spiritual anxieties – lack of consolation in prayer life, deep longing to experience God and many confusions regarding spiritual teachings and faith experiences
In St Thomas, we have a saint who is very human and with whom we – who are often prone to mistakes and frail in weaknesses – can easily connect.
• He was brave, but also had his moments of feeling lost
• He was courageous, but also had his moments of seeking answers for doubts
• He was enthusiastic, but also had his moments of staying away from the faith-community
St Thomas is a shining beacon of courage.
He had his doubts.
But once cleared, he became a person of immense conviction.
This conviction made him to travel across many lands to give witness to Jesus, His Lord and Master… and even to give up His life, in martyrdom!
As Christians, we need to truly examine our life: Am I able to attract people to the Love of Jesus?
If the answer is in the negative…
… then perhaps, we need to deepen our convictions of our Faith!
Yes, true commitment and steadfast faithfulness in life requires the power of convictions and certainty!
Thoughts and words that emerge from true conviction are contagious and impactful!
May St Thomas help us, with his intercession and inspiration, to become Christians of conviction and certainty and to firmly cry out, in joyful acclamation, “My Lord and My God!”
Happy Feast of St Thomas, the Convinced Disciple of Christ!
Happy Feast of Faith and Belief, Boldness and Courage to all!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
WHO CAN RECEIVE BAPTISM AND THE BAPTISM OF ADULTS
Catechumens “are already joined to the Church, they are already of the household of Christ, and are quite frequently already living a life of faith, hope, and charity.”
“With love and solicitude mother Church already embraces them as her own” (CCC # 1249)
Reflection Capsules 