and stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!” Then he showed them his
hands and his side. The disciples, seeing the Lord, were full of joy.

Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I send you.
” After saying this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! Those
whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; those whose sins you retain, they are retained.”

Thomas, the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other
disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he replied, “Until I have seen in his
hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand
in his side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, the disciples were again inside the
house and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and
stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your
finger here, and see my hands; stretch out your hand, and put it into my side. Do not
continue in your unbelief, but believe!” Thomas said, “You are my Lord and my God.
” Jesus replied, “You believe because you see me, don’t you? Happy are those who
have not seen and yet have come to believe.” There were many other signs that Jesus
gave in the presence of his disciples, but they are not recorded in this book. These are
recorded, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Believe, and
you will have life through his name!

READ: Today’s first reading speaks of the way the Christian community lived in
light of Pentecost. The second reading begins the first letter of Peter, a beautiful
reflection on Baptism and Christian faith. The Gospel recounts Jesus’ first
appearance to his disciples after the resurrection.

REFLECT: I’ve always thought that Thomas was misjudged. He wasn’t in the room
with the other disciples when Jesus appeared. Unlike the other disciples who were
locked away in fear, Thomas was out in the community. Thomas showed similar
courage when he expressed his willingness to go to Lazarus, even if it meant
risking death. This courage would extend to the end of Thomas’ life. Tradition
tells us that Thomas was martyred after he brought the Gospel to India.
How often do we judge the people in our lives because we don’t know their
whole story? How often do we let prejudice and the opinions of others define
our perceptions? May “Doubting Thomas” give us the courage to look with
eyes of love.

PRAY: Lord, help me to see others as you see them and to respond to them in love.

ACT: Examine your conscience for times that you have allowed prejudice and
others’ negative opinions influence your thinking.

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