The Mystery of "Twin" in St Thomas the Apostle

Gospel Thoughts 

13th Week - Friday 

Gospel John 20:24–29

Feast of St Thomas the Apostle

"The Mystery of Twin in Thomas the Didymus"

1) Didymus comes from the ancient Greek word for twin. 

Twin means two or double 

Accordingly we can see the mystery of twin in Thomas 

2) Two Natures or aspects of his personality is very visible from His attitude

A) Absent and Present

Thomas was absent when Jesus appeared to his disciples 

 "Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came"

-When Jesus appeared for the second time Thomas was present

"Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them" 

B) Believing and Not Believing

-When Jesus appeared and to His disciples Thomas was not there. But when this was communicated to him He was not ready to Believe. 

Later when Thomas was with them  Jesus appeared to them once again. He was able to see Jesus in person face to face. Then he was able believe. 

C) Seeing the nail marks and putting His finger into the nail marks 

Once again we see two things which are highlighted. 

Seeing the nails marks in the hands of Jesus - This was not sufficient for Thomas.

Inserting his finger into the hands of Jesus was necessary to believe - when he responded to his companions. 

The second action would make the process of believing complete

D) Doubting and firm believer 

-Thomas is also called doubting Thomas for his doubt. 

But His faith also seen very firm when he says "Let us go and die with Him" 

Two extremes are seen in the attitude and nature of Thomas 

E) My Lord and My God 

Double expression of His faith 

This double expression of his faith shows the depth of His faith 

F) Putting finger not only to the marks of nails in the hands, but also to the side/heart of Jesus 

Jesus gives a double chance to Thomas to put his finger not only to the finger but also to the heart. 

Heart is a more sacred and important place. So putting his finger into Jesus side also shows the importance of proof and action of Thomas

G) See and believe vs don't see and believe

Jesus makes a reference to seeing and  believing also not seeing and believing. Two different aspects come in the context of st Thomas the Apostle

You have seen me and you believe. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.

3) Two aspects of St Thomas is clearly visible at various levels 

According to his name didymus - twin, two or double have a close connection to his name 

4) Like Thomas we too have two natures or two attitudes in our lives 

-Good and bad 

-Believing and doubting

-Weaknesses and strength

-holiness and sinfulness

-courage and cowardice

-truthfulness and falsehood

-humility and pride

5) Once Thomas  experienced the Risen Christ, he permanently moved from doubt to faith, unbelief to strong belief, darkness to light,  death to life

What about me? 

Will the experience of the Lord lead me from weakness to strength, from sinfulness to holiness, from falsehood to truthfulness? 

Let St Thomas inspire us to move from darkness to light, from unbelief to strong faith 

Happy feast of St Thomas. May he intercede for all of us

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones 

Fr Maxim DSouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore