3 July 2026 – Solemnity of St. Thomas, Apostle of India
Mass Readings: Acts 10:
24-35 Ps 42 1 Pt 1:3-9/Eph 2:19-22 Jn 20:24-29
Key Verse to Meditate: Thomas
answered him, "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28).
Dear Brothers and Sisters
in the Lord,
Today, in union with the Universal Church, the Church in
India joyfully celebrates the Solemnity of St. Thomas the Apostle,
the great missionary disciple of Jesus and the Apostle of India. According
to ancient Christian tradition, it is believed that St. Thomas was martyred
in AD 72 at St. Thomas Mount (Parangimalai)
in Chennai, and that his body was buried at Mylapore, where
the Santhome Cathedral Minor Basilica now stands. This
Basilica is one of only three churches in the world built over the tomb of an
apostle—the others being St. Peter' s
in Rome and St. James’ in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Some of St. Thomas’s relics were later taken to Edessa (modern-day
Urfa, Turkey) and eventually to Ortona, Italy, where they are
venerated today in the Basilica of St. Thomas. In July 2023, St. Thomas
Mount celebrated the 500th anniversary of the original church
built by the Portuguese. Last year (3 July 2025), the St. Thomas Mount National
Shrine was elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica—a moment of
great pride and grace for the Church in India."
Though historical details vary, both canonical and apocryphal sources,
including The Gospel of Thomas and The Acts of Thomas (2nd
century), provide valuable insights into the apostolic mission of St. Thomas.
While not part of the official biblical canon, these texts have helped preserve
a cherished belief: that St. Thomas preached the Gospel in India,
particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The enduring presence of the St.
Thomas Christians in India is a living testimony to his legacy. His name
continues to be a beloved and widespread Christian name in India, reflecting
our deep connection with his life and martyrdom.
Liturgy of the Word: A Message for All Nations
In the First Reading (Acts 10), we see Peter, moved by the
conversion story of the Gentile centurion Cornelius, proclaim, "I
truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who
fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" (Acts
10:34-35). This vision of a Church open to all nations beautifully prefigures
the mission of St. Thomas in India.
In the Gospel, we encounter the familiar scene of the Risen Christ
revealing Himself to Thomas, who had earlier declared that he would not
believe unless he saw and touched the wounds of Jesus. Jesus gently responds to
his doubt with compassion, saying: “Blessed are those who have not seen and
yet have believed” (John 20:29). This passage serves as a profound
encouragement to all who believe without seeing—a message especially relevant
to us who have received the faith passed down from Thomas himself.
St. Peter, too, echoes this theme of faith without sight: "Although
you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now,
you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy” (1
Peter 1:8-9). This “invisible faith” bears fruit in the salvation of our souls.
Was Thomas Really a Doubter?
Thomas, also called Didymus ("twin"), is often unfairly
labeled as “Doubting Thomas.” However, a closer examination of the Gospels
shows that he was no more doubtful than the other apostles—perhaps even less.
He was a bold and courageous disciple who was willing to follow Jesus even unto
death.
In John 11:16, when Jesus speaks of returning to Judea despite
threats on His life, it is Thomas who courageously declares, “Let us also
go, that we may die with him.” This is no timid doubter, but a faithful
follower ready for martyrdom.
In John 14:5, when Jesus speaks of going to the Father, it is Thomas
who honestly voices his confusion: “Lord, we do not know where you are
going. How can we know the way?” This question paves the way for Jesus’
profound response: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
Finally, in John 20:24-29, we see the iconic scene of the Risen
Christ appearing to Thomas. Thomas demands to touch the wounds of Christ before
he will believe—but when Jesus appears, Thomas does not touch Him.
Instead, he proclaims the most explicit confession of Christ’s divinity in all
the Gospels: “My Lord and my God!”
Faith That Seeks Understanding
Thomas teaches us that a sincere question can lead to a deeper faith.
His was not a rebellious doubt but a truth-seeking heart. And Jesus, full of
mercy, does not rebuke him but meets him where he is. Thomas’ journey from
doubt to faith mirrors the path of many believers who struggle with uncertainty
yet desire a deeper relationship with Christ.
Jesus’ wounds became the healing for Thomas’ doubts. His confession, “My
Lord and my God,” has echoed through Christian history as one of the most
profound declarations of faith. Tradition tells us that Thomas went on to
proclaim this faith in India with great zeal and ultimately gave his life as
a martyr, bearing witness to the Lord he once doubted.
“My Lord and My God” (Jn 20:28)
After hearing the voice of the Master, Thomas made his world-famous
declaration of faith: "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28). Many
Scripture scholars consider this utterance the most profound Christological
proclamation in all the Gospels. What St. John begins in the prologue of his
Gospel—“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God” (Jn 1:1)—reaches its climactic revelation in the personal
confession of Thomas: “My Lord and my God.”
This moment marks a radical transformation in Thomas. From the earlier
skepticism—“Unless I see... I will not believe”—he moves to a heartfelt
confession of Jesus’ divinity. His words mirror the honest cry of the father of
the possessed boy in the Gospel of Mark: “I do believe; help my unbelief”
(Mk 9:24). Both confessions come from hearts wrestling with doubt but longing
for faith.
Jesus’ Patience and Thomas’ Surrender
Jesus did not abandon Thomas in his struggle to believe. Instead, He
returned—a week later—to meet Thomas with love, mercy, and
understanding. This second appearance reveals the gentleness and patience of
the risen Lord. He meets Thomas not with rebuke, but with an invitation: “Put
your finger here... Reach out your hand.” Yet Thomas does not touch.
He believes without it—his doubt has been overcome by the sheer presence of the
Risen Lord.
Thomas’ response is not only a theological statement but an act of total
surrender to the love of Jesus. His faith proclamation flows from a
personal encounter—a deep awareness that the crucified and risen Jesus is
indeed the Lord and God of his life.
In response, Jesus affirms a blessing for all future believers: “Have
you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and
yet have come to believe” (Jn 20:29). This beatitude includes each of us
who believe without having seen Him in the flesh. Like Mary Magdalene and the
other disciples, Thomas' life was transformed by his encounter with the Risen
Christ—and he became a fearless evangelizer in India.
Faith Community: A Space of Encounter
Today's Gospel also highlights the importance of being part of a faith
community. When Jesus first appeared, Thomas was absent. Because of his
absence, he missed the shared experience of the Resurrection. His doubt was not
merely intellectual but also relational—a result of being disconnected from the
believing community.
It was within the community, gathered in prayer with Mary and the apostles,
that Jesus revealed Himself again. This shows that faith is often nurtured and
strengthened in communion with others. When we distance ourselves from
the Church, we risk missing the presence of Christ in the breaking of the Word
and in the witness of others. But when we return, like Thomas, Christ meets us
with patience, drawing us into deeper belief.
Thomas was not faithless—he was faith-filled. And his confession,
made without touching the Lord’s wounds, demonstrates a mature, personal, and
living faith. His surrender shows us that faith is not merely believing
facts, but entrusting oneself to the living person of Christ. The
more we believe in God’s goodness, the more we run toward Him without delay or
doubt.
Points for Personal Reflection
The life and martyrdom of
St. Thomas the Apostle offer profound inspiration for our journey as Christian
disciples. His story reminds us that:
- Doubt can be a doorway to deeper faith when we bring it
honestly to Jesus.
- Faith is both a gift and a personal response of the
heart.
- Witness to Christ means being ready to proclaim, even
suffer, for the Gospel.
Reflect on these
questions:
- What is my personal faith creed in
Jesus?
- How do I respond to the proclamation: “My
Lord and my God”?
- Do I recognize the presence of the Risen
Christ in my daily life?
- Is my faith rooted in the mercy and love
of Jesus like Thomas’ was?
- Do I value and cherish the gift of faith
passed down to me?
Conclusion: A Legacy of Faith for India
- Today we celebrate
St. Thomas as the Apostle of India. He served as a vital bridge between
Jesus and India, playing a pivotal role in bringing the Christian faith to
our motherland nearly two thousand years ago.
- As we celebrate the
feast of St. Thomas today, we are reminded that our faith is apostolic,
handed down to us at great cost and with deep love. Our land is blessed to
be associated with an apostle of Christ himself. Let us honour this legacy
not just with devotion but by living as bold witnesses of Christ in our
families, communities, and society.
- Let us pray for the
grace to say with Thomas—not in hesitation, but in certainty and joy—“My
Lord and my God.” May St. Thomas intercede for us and for the Church
in India, that we may be faithful to the Gospel he preached and the
mission entrusted to us.
May St. Thomas, Apostle
of India, intercede for us that we may grow in faith, walk in courage, and
proclaim with conviction: “My Lord and my God!”
