MONDAY, December 21 Saint Thomas the Apostle

John 20:24-29. Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

I wasn't there, either. Often, in fact. I know the feeling of having been somewhere else when the big event happened. People repeat again and again how beautiful or exciting or frightening or inspiring or riveting it was. "You should have been there!" they say. Well, yes (I want to say), but I wasn't. Don't tell me about it, please; or tell me once and then move on. I think you might be making the whole thing up, or maybe you were high on something, but it doesn't matter because I wasn't there! Now can we please talk about something else?

Thomas is sometimes looked down on for not believing the other disciples' report of having seen the risen Lord. But would you have believed it? Would any sane, sensible person have believed it? I can imagine how irritated, how left out, how discounted Thomas felt as the disciples ranted on. The important thing about Thomas is not that he doubted what sounded like an extremely tall tale--which any normal person would have doubted--but that, given an experience of the risen Christ, he confessed, "My Lord and my God!"

PRAY for the Diocese of Yei (Sudan)

Ps 126; Habakkuk 2:1-4; Hebrews 10:35-11:1

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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Dec 21, 2009 at 2:14 am

Written by Rob,

I know that feeling all too well - the feeling of being on the outside looking in or of having missed something really big. Thomas, upon hearing the disciples' story, said "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." He said this to the other disciples when, presumably, Jesus was not there. Yet Jesus knew Thomas' thoughts and his heart, as He does all of us.

This Christmas, I pray that Jesus would reveal himself to this fallen world in a new way that will restore the faith of a world full of doubting Thomas'. I pray that no one misses the next opportunity to be on the "inside" when Jesus comes.

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Dec 21, 2009 at 7:35 am

Written by Richard H. Schmidt, Editor, Forward Day by Day,

Thanks, Rob. I've often felt left out, too, especially when my friends experience something that might be called a "mountaintop" experience but which I was not privileged to share. That's what I was writing about in this meditation---I think Thomas must have felt that, too. And I joing your prayer for the world this Christmas. God bless. Dick

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Dec 21, 2009 at 8:49 am

Written by Kevin T,

I fully agree with everything that was said. I also believe that even when we miss these big opportunities to experience something so great, we should take it as a lesson learned and know that it was an example of what God is capable of and that at the next opportunity, we should beileve with all our hearts and follow the spirit as it takes us.

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Dec 21, 2009 at 9:52 am

Written by Richard H. Schmidt, Editor, Forward Day by Day,

Yes, Kevin. There are some times, though, that I think we must believe on the basis of others' experience. Many of the Psalms are like that---"You spoke to our fathers of old, but I don't hear you." Thomas was given an experience like those of the other eleven disciples, but sometimes when we're left out, we just left out and a new experience either isn't given, or it's given later, or it's given and it's different from the experiences of others. I just receive what God gives, give thanks for it, and carry on.

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Dec 21, 2009 at 10:41 am

Written by Tracy Ringering,

When I was confirmed 4 years ago after 39 years as a fundamentalist Christian, I was offered the opportunity to select a new saint name for my confirmation. I ultimately declined, but almost chose Thomas. I always look forward to St. Thomas Day because, of all the Apostles, I most relate to Thomas. The written record of his doubts frequently give me hope that, while I might be in yet another doubting phase, Christ will see me through to the next phase of belief.

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Dec 21, 2009 at 12:15 pm

Written by sje,

Thomas may have missed the initial event, but his response to Jesus' presence is awe-inspiring: his missionary efforts eastward all the way to India. The steadfast Christians of Iraq, recently persecuted and displaced more than their historical usual, are the result of Thomas' faithfulness to his risen Lord. To learn more about them, check out the website, "Christians of Iraq".

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