On this Feast Day of St. Thomas the Apostle, Father Justus Pokrzewinski, OP reflects on one of the most relatable and powerful figures in the New Testament.
Why was Thomas absent on that first Easter Sunday? While the scriptures don't tell us why, we do know what happened next: a beautiful encounter with a loving Jesus who meets Thomas in his doubt. Father Justus explores the significance of Thomas’s profound declaration, "My Lord and my God," and what it means for us today as those who "have not seen and yet believe."
We also look at the legacy of St. Thomas—who tradition says carried the Gospel all the way to India—and how the devotion to the Sacred Heart reminds us of the wounds Jesus kept to show us the depth of His love. Join us to strengthen your faith and find hope in your Christian journey.
**Key Highlights:**
* **The Absent Apostle:** Reflecting on the mystery of why Thomas missed the first appearance of the Risen Christ.
* **Touching the Wounds:** How Jesus responds to doubt with invitation and love rather than scolding.
* **The Blessing for Us:** What it means to be "more blessed" by believing without physical sight.
* **To the Ends of the Earth:** St. Thomas's mission to India and his martyrdom.
**Timeline/Chapters:**
0:00 Welcome to A Word of Hope
0:13 The Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle
0:23 Why was Thomas missing on Easter Sunday?
0:46 "Shalom": Jesus returns for Thomas
0:57 "My Lord and my God": The greatest words of Scripture
1:31 The blessing for those who have not seen
2:00 Sacred Heart devotion and the wounds of Jesus
2:24 St. Thomas’s mission to India
2:54 Prayer: Living our best Catholic life
**About A Word of Hope:**
A Word of Hope is a daily reflection series by the Dominican Friars, offering spiritual nourishment and insights into justice, peace, and the Gospel.
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