YEAR B: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: FAITH AND CONVICTION

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Jn. 20:24-29) Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle.

In the day’s Gospel the risen Jesus again appeared before the apostles in the cenacle where they were hiding for ear of the Jews. Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared to them the first time. Thomas was told about the appearance but expressed his doubts. Jesus gave in to Thomas’ request and showed His hands and His side. It was a great opportunity for Jesus to teach about faith, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Doubts are normal. While life after death had been taught and believed during the time of the Lord, many, including the apostles, had those doubts. They saw Jesus and how He was tortured and died. Up to that point, they still had reservations regarding life after death, much more, Jesus as the Messiah. Thus, it was important for the risen Jesus to appear before the disciples. They were forsaken and devastated. Many had left their families, lands, and livelihood, pursuing Jesus and hoping He was the Messiah they were waiting for. And the disciples were fortunate to have that experience. It is easy to fault Thomas for his actions. But put yourself in his shoes. Would you have reacted differently?Would you have believed the disciples word that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to them? The question, of course, is irrelevant now. But it is important for us to be aware of our faith and our conviction. Now that we had heard from the apostles, the Gospel writers, the testimonies of St. Paul in his letters, and the Church, do we now believe the resurrection? We should because it is the very basis of our faith. Our doubts should now be replaced by reasons to believe. We can never have proofs like what science requires.

St. John, in his first letter, puts it perfectly: “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touch with our hands, concerning the Word of life…” We have the witnesses of the apostles. We have no reason to doubt.