We have seen the Lord

Eph 2,19-22; Ps 116; Jn 20,24-29
3 JULY

Saint Paul reveals to the whole world that faith is born of listening. However, at the origin of the Word, there are always eyewitnesses. When are eyewitnesses worthy of faith? When the Word that they announce is transformed by them into their own lives. If they say “Blessed are the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, they are credible if they are presented visibly poor in spirit. If they say that Jesus is risen, they must witness in their body the signs of the resurrection of the Lord in a visible way.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring (the) good news!” But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?” Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ (Rm 10,13-17). Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared to Kephas, then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God (that is) with me. Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed (1Cor 15,1-11).

Jesus appears to the disciples. Their sadness turned into joy. The Word of Jesus uttered in the Upper Room is fulfilled for them. Their face transmits truth. Their words, full of joy, testify that Jesus really resurrected. They were sad before.

Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labour, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you (Jn 16,19-23).

Thomas lives a totally irrational and illogical procedure, devoid of any previous and earlier faith in the Word of Jesus. Moreover, he also lacks trust in his brothers Apostles. An apostle can also deceive, but ten converged, transformed apostles who show the resurrection in turn cannot deceive him. But he is obstinate. He will believe not only if he sees. His eyes could trick him. He will believe if he will see Jesus and touch him too. To believe he will want to put his finger in place of the nails and also put his hand in his side. These are conditions that can be given to one, but not to everyone. Jesus confirms that the way of faith is only for listening.

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “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.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Mother of God, Angels and Saints ensure that the disciples manifest Christ Jesus on their face.