Saint Thomas the Apostle
[21 December]
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who, for the greater confirmation of the faith, didst suffer thy holy Apostle Thomas to be doubtful in thy Son's resurrection; Grant us so perfectly, and without all doubt, to believe in thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in thy sight may never be reproved. Hear us, O Lord, through the same Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for evermore. Amen.
Hebrews x. 35, and part of Chap. xi. & St. John xx. 24
Do you believe that Jesus was resurrected? Jesus told Thomas the Twin that anyone who believed in his resurrection, even though they had not seen him, was "blessed." The Greek word for blessed is Makarios (mak-ar'-ee-os) and it means to be "happy." For comparison sake, Jesus said those who were poor in spirit were blessed in the beatitudes. This may have included "happy" in the sense of gay, but to me it is much more profound, like one, who being set adrift for days and who is dying of thirst, sees a rescue ship coming to save him -- now that is happiness - that is joy way down deep in the soul -- that is a blessing that beats away distress. Those who believe in the resurrection of our Lord look with Christian hope in faith and with joy for their own salvation and resurrection unto everlasting life. In this Advent season, we Christians are reminded of the happiness that was proclaimed by the angel who said to the shepherds, "I bring you good tiding of great joy.... for unto you is born... a Saviour".
John's Gospel tells of the life of Thomas as a disciple. He is named next to Matthew and James in lists. When Jesus was to go raise Lazarus, Thomas told the disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. At the Last Supper, Thomas asked how can we know the way? Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Days later he doubted the disciples had seen the risen Jesus, so Jesus returned to show him his wounds. Thomas saw Jesus again at Lake Tiberias and witnessed the miraculous catch of fish and ate with his Master.
Tradition holds that after Pentecost he went to the Parthians, Medes, and Persians and finally India. He carried the Christian faith to the Malabar Coast. A church that survives there today is the "Christians of St. Thomas." It is believed that Thomas died a martyr from spear wounds at Calamine.
The Reverend Mark Carroll
Hebrews x. 35, and part of Chap. xi.
CAST not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.St. John xx. 24
THOMAS, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Scripture from 1928 Book of Common Prayer