My Lord and my God

A reflection on the 19th Sunday after Pentecost.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”             John 20:19-23

Before I commence the reflection, I would like to apologise for not having posted anything last month. I spent several hours writing a post and as I was prepared to upload it, my laptop shut down. After that I was writing an explanation to what had happened and the laptop shut down again. This happened a further three times after which I just gave up and left it alone. So my apologies for that.

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”      John 20:24-25

Thus, today we commemorate and read about the Apostle Thomas, the fisherman that heard the word (Jesus) left everything and followed the Saviour. In English speaking lands he (Thomas) is also known as doubting Thomas. Now some may argue and say that he should not be referred to as doubting Thomas because it is somewhat degrading to his Martyrdom in India 72AD after he converted the wife and son of the prefect (leader of a community) - of the Indian city of Meliapur. 

Therefore, some will argue and say that in Greek iconography the inscriptions read - “The touching of Thomas, or in Slavonic iconography it reads - “The Belief of Thomas”. However, here we see a recurring theme with certain groups demanding that all conform to their ways! Unless one becomes Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian you are not a true Orthodox Christian. Nationalism at its finest!

However, what some seem to forget is that the Lord called the imperfect of society to make them perfect through Him. Thus turning their shame into fame! Every Saint, Martyr and Holy person has their own story of conversion; and by the Grace of God we too may one day have a story of our own.

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-29

A good friend of my uncle grew up as a wild man. Going to the clubs, sleeping around, getting into fights, taking drugs - like the saying goes sex, drugs and rock and roll!

However, one day everything changed. He fell in love with a lovely lady that put him in his place. They got married, had two beautiful daughters and by God’s grace, he fell in love with the Liturgy. Thus, for the past twenty plus years, he has attended every Sunday service faithfully and wholeheartedly. A remarkable man in which I have much respect for.

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.    John 20:30-31

Therefore, we all know someone that has either turned away from God or is too consumed with the riches of the world to even realise God is present in all places filling all things. Thus, our job as living gospels in the world is not to bible-bash as many out there do, but to continue to live as true Christians by our actions to pray for those who are far from the truth. (The All-Holy-Trinity)

And another reminder, pray to the Theotokos. She is our Mother and loves us more than we can ever comprehend. She is the Mum who cheers for her child at a footy game. She is the Mum who holds and caresses her child when they fall and graze their knee. She is that Mum who tucks in her child in the evening and kisses them goodnight. She is the Mum who takes food from her plate to give to her child. SHE IS OUR MUM!

Through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos and of the Apostle Thomas, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen