Archdiocese of Denver

W e all know the famous story of St. Thomas the Apostle – Doubting Thomas. The resurrected Christ has just risen from the grave and he appears to the apostles in the locked upper room. The apostles excitedly tell Thomas of their incredible encoun- ter with Jesus but he refuses to believe them. Skeptical, faithless Thomas wants proof for himself. Skeptical, faith- less Thomas is a lot like us. Where exactly was Thomas when Jesus appeared? The apostles were likely gathered together in prayer when Jesus comes and announces "Peace be with You." Thomas was out – probably preoccupied with the affairs of the world. Simply put, Thomas misses Jesus because he is too busy. How many times have we missed Jesus because we prefer our own designs and our agenda to his message of truth, sim- plicity and love? Jesus comes to us — both in the Eucharist and in the gospel and like Thomas, we are often not there. Thomas then misses Jesus a second time. Just as Christ commissions everyone to share our encounter with him, the apostles reach out to Thomas to share the good news. Yet Thomas wants no part of it. What's most striking about Thomas's disbelief is that he refuses to believe his closest friends. Thomas ate, slept and traveled with the apostles for three years of public ministry yet he still does not accept the testimony of his intimate colleagues. The apostles, along with the first Pope Peter, are the entirety of the early Catholic Church. Many millions refuse to believe that Jesus has risen – and many baptized Catholics are hardened to the witness of other people who have experienced Jesus Christ. Christ reaches out to us daily through modern day disciples, yet we are preoccupied with things of this world and with our own designs. We hear amazing testimony from people Jesus has undoubtedly placed in our lives to proclaim his Gospel but the message doesn't always penetrate our hearts. In some way all of us are like St. Thomas as we remain "busy" and outside the Church. We are skeptical that Christ's message of simplicity and generosity will bring us true happiness. The depth of St. Thomas's denial is shocking. He actually demands proof and a physical inspection of the Resurrected Christ saying: "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." When we hear Thomas' words we find him unfairly demanding. Yet, how many times has Christ reached out to us only to be met with our unfairly demanding disbelief ? The real beauty of the doubting Thomas Gospel story is the persistence of Jesus. Notwithstanding the staunch denial and demand to inspect Christ's wounds, Jesus still comes back to St. Thomas. Just as Jesus hears our prayers when he is not physically present to us, he heard Thomas' seemingly unreasonable request. Jesus reappears and looks at Thomas saying "Put your finger here, and see my hands, and put out your hand and place it in my side; do not be faithless but believe." Jesus will always reach out to each of us to shore up our doubt and disbelief. Thomas then responds with alarming clarity and con- viction. He utters the immortal words "My Lord and my God" as he falls to his knees before the resurrected Christ. What a great example for us. These are the same words we should exclaim when the simple wafer is elevated at con- secration after miraculously becoming the body of Jesus Christ at every Mass. Tradition states that St. Thomas was so inspired after his personal encounter with Jesus that he went out pro- claiming the Gospel all the way to India and to his martyr- dom. Perhaps this Easter season we too can become true disciples and go out amongst our disbelieving world pro- claiming My Lord and my God to our friends, neighbors, and business colleagues. You likely won't be martyred and you just might be surprised how strongly you feel Christ's presence at your side. Put aside your "Doubt" and go out on Mission Like St. Thomas then, the world does not listen to the Church now." ARCHBISHOP'S CATHOLIC APPEAL | SPECIAL EDITION BY PAUL DUDZIC Chief Mission Advancement Officer 10

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