HOMILY OF 13TH WEDNESDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: ‘MY LORD AND MY GOD!’
BY: Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA
Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle. John 20:24-29
INTRODUCTION
Good Morning my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate St. Thomas the Apostle, one of the Twelve Apostles of the Lord, also known as Thomas Didymus or Thomas the Twin. He was quite known in the Gospels as a figure who was always a doubter, a pessimistic person and disciple of the Lord, who always threw out doubts and questions against the Lord and His works and decisions.
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FROM OUR FIRST READING
This is what we hear from our First Reading “You are now fellow citizens with the saints, built on the Apostles’ foundation with Christ as the cornerstone, becoming a holy temple and dwelling place for God in the Spirit”.
FROM OUR GOSPEL READING
In our Gospel Reading, Thomas doubted Jesus’ resurrection until he saw and touched Jesus’ wounds. Jesus appeared to him, inviting him to believe. Thomas then acknowledged Jesus as his Lord and God. Jesus blessed those who believe without seeing.
WHO WAS SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE ?
Also known as Thomas the Apostle or Doubting Thomas, he was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ to be His closest followers.
WHY IS SAINT THOMAS CALLED THE “DOUBTING THOMAS ”?
He was given the nickname “Doubting Thomas” because he initially struggled to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. He expressed his doubts and stated that he needed physical proof to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead.
WHO IS SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE THE PATRON SAINT OF?
He is the patron saint of architects, builders, and India. He is the patron saint of architects and builders due to his involvement in church construction, while he is revered as the patron saint of India for his influential missionary activities in the country.
HOW DID SAINT THOMAS OVERCOME HIS DOUBTS?
He overcame his doubts when Jesus appeared to him and invited him to touch His wounds. In that moment of encounter, Thomas’s doubts were transformed into unwavering faith, and he proclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM SAINT THOMAS, THE APOSTLE?
He teaches us the importance of honesty in our faith journey and the transformative power of encountering Jesus. His story encourages us to bring our doubts to the Lord, seek His presence, and proclaim Him as our Lord and God, just as Thomas did.
CONCLUSION
Brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we all rejoice in the glorious memory of Saint Thomas the Apostle, holy servant of God, let us all first realise that each and every one of us are also called to be faithful to God as Saint Thomas had been reminded to have faith in God. All of us are reminded to be strong in our faith in the Lord so that any doubts, oppressions and oppositions we maybe facing will not deter us from following God wholeheartedly.
Saint Thomas the Apostle, pray for us.
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