Relating to Thomas Acts 5:12-16; Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; Rv 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19; Jn 20:19-31 Of the many characters we meet in the Gospels, Thomas from today’s Gospel might be one of the most relatable. Most of us like to see physical proof of things, especially things that are difficult to believe. This can be even more true after we have suffered through a devastating event. It is difficult to believe in something good when we are suffering, heartbroken or dealing with an immense loss. The news Thomas receives from the other disciples is certainly difficult to believe. We are not told if the disciples gave Thomas all the details of their encounter with the risen Jesus. We only hear that they told him, “We have seen the Lord.” It is not uncommon for people who are grieving to think they saw their loved one or heard their voice. So, the vague report they give him could be easy enough to dismiss on those grounds alone. There are other possibilities that might influence Thomas’ reaction. Let’s imagine the other disciples did give him all the details of their meeting with Jesus, including that he gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps Thomas is feeling a bit of left out because he was not present with the other disciples. His reaction could be from denial or maybe even hurt feelings that Jesus visited the others and gave them the Holy Spirit, but did not do the same for him. In this way, his denial could be working as a defense mechanism to protect his wounded pride or a fear of being rejected by Jesus. Thomas may be protecting himself in another way too. We can easily imagine that the disciples who truly believed Jesus was the Messiah might have lost hope after his death. This man who had done nothing but spread God’s teachings was murdered by the Romans in a horrific way. No one could stop it — not even Jesus himself, it appeared. It is not always easy to recover hope after it has been crushed. Thomas may simply be protecting his heart. For some, latching on to hope immediately after a devastating blow is essential to move forward. Others need to spend some time processing their grief before they are ready to accept hope. It is interesting that the author explicitly states that Jesus did not return to the disciples until a week later. On the one hand, it is the author’s way of emphasizing that Jesus was not a mere apparition, but a fully resurrected being who spent time on earth. However, the author could have provided a similar detail in a variety of ways. But we are told that Jesus waits a week to return, apparently so that he could speak directly to Thomas. Jesus has essentially given Thomas some time to grieve and process everything that has happened before coming to him directly. Jesus does not shame or condemn Thomas upon meeting him. Rather, he allows Thomas to see exactly what Thomas said he needed to see. He deals with Thomas’ struggle gently, encouraging him to open his heart again so that he can believe. The author shows Jesus chiding him a bit when he says, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (Jn 20:29). I do not think this line was intended for Thomas so much as it was for later generations; those who never knew Jesus. Whether that is someone who was living at the time this Gospel was created or someone reading this reflection now in 2025, this is a message of encouragement for those who choose to believe, even though they cannot see. May this Easter season draw you closer to the risen Christ and encourage you to continue hoping and believing.
About the Author Kate Oxsen is an assistant professor of Old Testament studies at Catholic Theological Union.