Touch Me and Believe
Jesus 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.” Jn 20:19-31
2nd Easter Sunday
When Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, in her eagerness Mary wanted to embrace Him. But Jesus told her not to touch Him for He has not yet ascended to His Father to complete His mission. Mary already believed Jesus has risen from the dead. There was no reason for her to touch Him.
On the other hand, when Jesus appeared to Thomas, Jesus told him to touch Him for Thomas had not yet believed Jesus was truly risen from the dead. Thomas doubted. He had forgotten and maybe even had not understood when Jesus had previously told the twelve apostles that the Son of Man must suffer and die but rise from the dead.
We are no different from Thomas, because as humans gifted with the five senses we too want to feel, taste, see, hear, and smell whatever we must believe in. Everyone without exception doubts sometimes the people we love and the even tenets we were taught to believe in.
But as Christians blessed with faith, we also believe what we do not sense or even at times understand.
Today in the gospel Thomas doubted the apostles who told him they have seen the Lord. But before these other apostles saw Jesus, they also had doubted Him. Otherwise, why should they remain hiding in the Upper Cenacle out of fear of the Jews? Why did Mary Magdalene and the rest of the women go to the tomb early Sunday morning bringing with them spices except to anoint a dead body – since they had no time to do so the Friday before? Why did the men dismiss the women’s story of seeing the angels as tall tales? Why did the two disciples go home to Emmaus after the crucifixion?
Doubt has a purpose which is to make our faith firm. It may initially shake us violently. But in the end, we come out more convinced believers – like Thomas and the rest of the disciples who all died preaching the Resurrection.
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