His story is one of the most well-known accounts in the New Testament, and he even earned the nickname “Doubting Thomas.” I often wonder why the Apostle Thomas doubted when the disciples told him that they had seen the Risen Jesus. Did he doubt the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? Was it because he wanted to make sure that his friends didn’t see just a ghost or an evil spirit, or did he fear that his friends were just pulling a prank on him?
As for Thomas thinking that his friends just saw a ghost or an evil spirit or that he thought he was being pranked by the other Apostles, it could be that he did or did not. It wasn’t revealed what exactly caused his doubt.
But what I’m sure of is that his was not a case of a former follower of Jesus turning into an atheist or agnostic. If he had already started to doubt the authenticity of Jesus being the Messiah, he would not have remained in the company of other Apostles. When he was finally with the group and Jesus appeared to them, upon recognizing Him, he said straight away his famous proclamation, “My Lord and My God! (John 20:28)”
In the world today, there are all the reasons for atheists, agnostics, and members of other religions like Islam and Buddhism to get convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, and for members of Christian sects and other denominations to accept that the Pope is the successor of Saint Peter the Apostle, and that the Catholic Church is the Universal Church. Still, they won’t believe because nothing and no one can really convince them. They have all the temporal things and human achievements to prove that God is the Catholic God, but their will is already against Jesus Christ; it’s fixed, and for the majority of them, it won’t change.
But this was not the case for Doubting Thomas. In essence, he said, ‘It’s really You, My Lord and My God!’ His reaction showed that he did love Jesus. Thomas initially doubted the disciples’ claim that they had seen Jesus after His Resurrection, but he did not doubt the fact of the Resurrection itself. In other words, he did not doubt that Jesus had actually risen from the dead, but he was skeptical of the disciples’ testimony that they had seen Him. He probably doubted whether the Messiah he loved would indeed appear to them. It was only after he had physical proof of Jesus’ wounds that he believed that it was really Jesus they had seen.
That’s why the story of Thomas is unique in the Bible. He was already a follower of Jesus but demanded physical and tangible proof that the other disciples had seen Jesus.
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
~ John 20:25
Nowhere else in the Bible does a person of God demand proof of a promise of God. There is no direct parallel to the story of Thomas anywhere else in the Bible.
Most often, Doubting Thomas is misinterpreted as him lacking faith of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. But nothing is further from the truth. He is not a person having a story of doubting God and lacking or losing faith like the other biblical figures. For instance, the Israelites who grumbled and complained during their time in the wilderness after being freed from slavery in Egypt were often rebuked by God and punished for their lack of faith. Similarly, King Saul’s lack of trust in God’s guidance ultimately led to his downfall.
Jesus Christ said to Thomas, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. (John 20:29)” The Lord did not say, ‘Thomas, you are lacking faith in Who I Am!’
It’s important to note that Thomas was not entirely negatively portrayed in Catholic teachings, despite his initial doubt. The story of Doubting Thomas actually has a positive message, as it shows that even the most faithful followers of Jesus can sometimes struggle with doubt and need evidence to strengthen their faith. Thomas’ response of faith after seeing Jesus’ wounds is also a powerful expression of belief, with his famous proclamation “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
Among us Catholics today, I can directly relate this to our own experiences. We accept that God exists, and it is He Who He says He is. We trust in the teachings of the Catholic Church and all the statements of faith in the Apostle’s Creed, but we may have doubts in some aspects of our relationship with God. Such as, when our prayers remain unanswered, or our suffering becomes unbearable, we might question whether God is truly listening or present with us in our pain. We might even doubt His promise that He listens to all our prayers and is with us in every moment of our suffering. However, we do not doubt the existence of God Himself, and we acknowledge that He is all-powerful, which is why we approach Him without fear in prayer.
The story of Doubting Thomas is a good example of a pious doubter. Jesus’ rebuke of Thomas can be seen as a gentle correction rather than a harsh condemnation. He did not want to shame Thomas for his doubts. In this way, Thomas’ doubt is relatable and understandable to us Catholics, and his eventual profession of faith after seeing Jesus’ wounds is all the more powerful. And what makes the story of Doubting Thomas so significant is the way that Jesus responds to him with compassion and understanding, even offering him the chance to touch His wounds and to truly believe. Like Thomas, Catholics are called to seek the Truth with open minds and hearts, trusting that God will reveal Himself in a personal manner in His own time and way. This encounter serves as a powerful reminder of God’s love and mercy, even in moments of doubt and struggle. As long as we have faith in Him, He meets us where we are.
Saint Thomas the Apostle, pray for us!
Happy Feast Day, Saint Bernadette Soubirous, my dear spiritual sister in Heaven, pray for us!
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
Mama Mary, pray for us!
Amen.
She graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas, the country's Pontifical and Catholic university, with an AB in Legal Management and minor units in Theology.
As an unmarried woman, prayer holds a central place in her daily life, with a focus on the Rosary and the Divine Office. Embodying her faith, she emphasizes the growth of her inner spiritual life, guided by the wisdom of Carmelite spirituality.
God manifested to her in a unique and radical manner, which made her know Who He truly is and led her to total surrender of her life to Him.
She has studied the Bible with her family, developing a particular fondness for the Old Testament.
Her adorable and intelligent toy poodle is a delightful companion in her daily life, bringing warmth and joy to her home.
Her hobbies include reading about everything, learning Japanese and German, listening to music and playing the flute.
In her leisure time, she enjoys gaming on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS, iOS and OS, and collecting things related to PlayStation and Nintendo.
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