Blessed Are They Who have not seen, and Yet Believe

Today is the Feast of one of the twelve Apostles, St. Thomas. I always feel a bit sad for Thomas, as the whole church of believers knows him as Doubting Thomas.  It is even a catch phrase we use in common conversation.  Yet, this doubter went on to India, Syria, and Persia and preached with courage about Jesus unto the last drop of his blood.  

I think maybe poor Thomas was so tired on that day he got back to the upper room and everyone bombarded him at the door "We have seen the LORD".  He probably sank down to a chair, put down his packages, sighed, and was perhaps impatient with "faith by hearing".  Where was the Lord?  The ache he felt was of one "too tremblingly awake to bear with dimness for His sake."  And he was a realist.  He knew all the apostles were sad, scared, lonely for Jesus's face, his voice, his touch, his authority...just like he was.  But he could not brook a counterfeit Jesus. He could not bear a made up Jesus....just to feel better.    He wanted Him there, but he wanted the REAL Jesus, not wishful thinking.  

And Jesus heard his heart.  He knew that one day Thomas would need to believe without touching or seeing and Thomas would be faithful in that belief.  But what Thomas needed right then, Jesus gave.  He let him touch his wounds and I picture Thomas weeping for absolute joy as he stammered out humbly, "My Lord and my God!"  

We get what we need.  Sometimes we get to "touch" the Lord, sometimes we need to trust by hearing.  

When that gets hard, we can pray to Thomas.