The Incredulity of Saint Thomas
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 1602

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today, I would like to reflect upon the powerful message conveyed by John 20:19-31. This passage from the Bible narrates the story of how Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, and how Thomas was able to see and touch the wounds of Christ, which led him to believe in his resurrection.

In this story, we see the transformation of the disciples' fear into faith, and the role of doubt in this transformation. When Jesus first appears to his disciples, they are hiding in a room, afraid of what might happen to them. However, when Jesus shows them his wounds, they are able to recognize him and their fear turns into joy.

Thomas, who was not present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples, expresses his doubt in the story of Jesus' resurrection. He says, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." But when Jesus appears to him and invites him to touch his wounds, Thomas is able to see and believe.

What can we learn from this story? Firstly, we can see the importance of faith in transforming fear. When the disciples are afraid, their faith in Jesus' resurrection gives them the strength to overcome their fear. Secondly, we can see that doubt can be a positive force in our spiritual journey. Thomas' doubt leads him to seek the truth and when he encounters Jesus, his doubt is transformed into faith.

Faith and doubt are both important elements in our spiritual journey. We must have faith in the teachings of our spiritual traditions, but we must also question and seek the truth. Doubt can be a powerful tool for spiritual growth, as it challenges us to look deeper and seek a more profound understanding of our beliefs.

Finally, we can see in this story the importance of compassion and forgiveness. Jesus forgives his disciples for abandoning him and shows them compassion by appearing to them after his resurrection. He also forgives Thomas for his doubt and allows him to touch his wounds, which leads him to believe.

The story of Jesus' resurrection in John 20:19-31 teaches us about the transformative power of faith, the positive role of doubt in our spiritual journey, and the importance of compassion and forgiveness. As we continue on our spiritual path, may we strive to cultivate faith, question and seek the truth, and practice compassion and forgiveness in our lives.