Breaking the Word

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." (Jn 20:24-29)

Experience of Thomas has been the experience of many. He missed Jesus when he came. We end up as persons who are not privileged to see the Lord. We also experience that others are always in a better position than ourselves.  Such experiences leave us to challenge even God. We want an equal treatment even when we do not deserve or even when we are not prepared for it. We want God to be just and generous even when we are not cooperating with him.

Jesus always gives his experience to everyone. He not only obliges us but he just and equal. He continues to be good and just and revealing and generous. At the second incident again Jesus was as he was at the first. Thomas was there at that time. If by chance he had missed that chance also there would have been a third and fourth. (Jesus revealed himself many times). For Jesus continues to be the same. It depends on us if we are present or not.

Belief does not depend on experiences alone. Experiences definitely give a basis for the revelation of God. Experiences induce belief and strengthen faith and so on. People who are beyond all these experiences and who do not depend on these are better of.  Faith should not be limited or controlled by experiences. Belief has value in itself and stands by itself. 

Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.  (Lk 2:41-51)

Jesus at the age of twelve was sure of the purpose of his life. His purpose was to do the will of the father. That is the reason for which he has come and hence that is his mission. This is not only that of Jesus but it should be for every creature in the world. The whole creation has only one purpose and that is to reveal God and make his will and his kingdom established among the creation.

This incident also shows the mind of a mother. Mary wants the child to be with the family. Mary sees this in her own context. (As she asked the anger Gabriel how this could be). In a sense Mary is in her learning process. Jesus’ return to the family and living with them is also a way of helping in this learning process. Obedient to  the local situation is also helpful for the wider mission.

Mary kept all these in her heart. Heart of the mother is to keep the events and experiences for reflection. Mother does not throw away the experience as if it had no relevance and importance. Everything has a purpose and meaning in life. Keeping these things in her heart Mary realized the greater importance of these events and hence she was able to cooperate with the plan of God.