Day 302 -- Saint Thomas the Apostle

"My Lord and My God!"

Saint Thomas the Apostle is probably best remembered for doubting the resurrection even though he was ready to die with Christ when he went to Jerusalem. After the resurrection, Thomas wanted to see and touch Jesus' wounds, which Jesus allowed. He preached in Parthia, Persia, and India. He followed God's will and he began new Churches in many areas. He baptized people. His symbol is a builder's square and there are a few stories to explain that, but here is one:

• represents building a strong spiritual foundation as he had complete faith in Christ
  

He died by being stabbed with a spear around the year 72 while in prayer on a hill in Mylapur, India. His relics were moved to Mesopotamia, and in the 13th century they were moved to Ortona, Italy. He is the patron against doubt, against, blindness, theologians, and masons.

Scripture tells us that after Thomas put his hands in Jesus' wounds he exclaimed "My Lord and my God." We have the opportunity at every Mass to repeat those same words. After the consecration, we can bow our heads and repeat those same words, showing that we believe in Christ's true presence in the Eucharist.

PRAYER
O Glorious Saint Thomas, your grief for Jesus was such that it would not let you believe he had risen unless you actually saw him and touched his wounds. But your love for Jesus was equally great and it led you to give up your life for him. Pray for us that we may grieve for our sins which were the cause of Christ's sufferings. Help us to spend ourselves in his service and so earn the title of "blessed" which Jesus applied to those who would believe in him without seeing him. Amen.