Monday December 21st, 2015 St. Thomas, Apostle John 14:1-7
"And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" (verses 4-5)
St. Thomas, apostle, whose saint day we observe today, is the source of the common expression “Doubting Thomas.” Thomas doubted Jesus’ resurrection, insisting on touching the scars and seeing the wound on Jesus’ body before he would believe. Jesus invited his touch, which drew Thomas’ response, “My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28)
In today’s reading Thomas again speaks up. After Jesus tells the disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them, saying, “And you know the way to the place where I am going,” Thomas expresses not only doubt but ignorance, to which Jesus replies, “I am the way.”
The way of Jesus requires knowing with the spirit within; it is knowing Jesus. It is an experiential knowledge that grows out of daily living the life God has given us. In our baptism Jesus led us through death into a resurrected life. Discerning this is a real challenge that often leads to demands like those of Thomas, “How can we know?” Thankfully, Jesus meets those questions with love that feeds our faith.
God in heaven, may the way of Jesus be the way of my life. Amen. — RH
Contributed by Knowing the Way
St. Thomas, apostle, whose saint day we observe today, is the source of the common expression "Doubting Thomas." Thomas doubted Jesus' resurrection, insisting on touching the scars and seeing the wound on Jesus' body before he would believe. Jesus invited his touch, which drew Thomas' response, "My Lord and my God." (John 20:28)
In today's reading Thomas again speaks up. After Jesus tells the disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them, saying, "And you know the way to the place where I am going," Thomas expresses not only doubt but ignorance, to which Jesus replies, "I am the way."
The way of Jesus requires knowing with the spirit within; it is knowing Jesus. It is an experiential knowledge that grows out of daily living the life God has given us. In our baptism Jesus led us through death into a resurrected life. Discerning this is a real challenge that often leads to demands like those of Thomas, "How can we know?" Thankfully, Jesus meets those questions with love that feeds our faith.
