3 July 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: മലയാളം
“Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”” John 20:28
On the evening of Easter Thomas was not with the others. When they told him, “We have seen the Lord,” he said: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later Jesus came again and said to him: “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered: “My Lord and my God!” It is the fullest confession of faith in the Gospels: the risen Jesus is Lord and God.
Jesus answered: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” That blessing is for us. The faith of India was not built on seeing but on the word of the apostle who saw, touched and believed. According to the ancient tradition of our Church, Thomas came to Kerala around AD 52, preached, founded communities, and gave his life as a martyr at Mylapore around AD 72. We are Thomas Christians, Mar Thoma Nasranikal.
At the Last Supper it was Thomas who asked: “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” And Jesus gave the great answer: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The questioner became the witness; the one who wanted proof travelled the furthest of all the apostles to give it.
Abraham left his country for a land God would show him; Thomas left Galilee for India. Isaiah sings: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news.” Paul writes: “In Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” Thomas is our father in faith. Today we thank God for him and ask for his courage to confess Jesus as Lord and God in our own land.
Theme: “My Lord and my God!”
We keep the Dukrono of St Thomas, our Father in Faith. The apostle who first doubted made the fullest confession of faith in the Gospels and carried it to India. We are the fruit of his mission.
“Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling!” Job 23:3
“Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”” John 20:28–29
Apply: At the elevation in the Holy Qurbono, say silently: “My Lord and my God.”
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” Proverbs 4:18
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”” John 14:6
Apply: Bring your honest questions about faith to the Lord in prayer, and to a priest or catechist.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”” Isaiah 52:7
“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”” John 20:21
Apply: Teach a child in your family the confession “My Lord and my God.”
Thomas shows that honest doubt can become deep faith when it meets the wounds of Christ.
Let us confess him as Lord and God and carry the faith of our fathers forward.
Take-home resolution: Pray for the Church in India and for missionaries from Kerala serving abroad.
Dear brothers and sisters, today we celebrate our father in faith, St Thomas. We often call him “doubting Thomas,” but the Gospel shows more. When Jesus decided to go to Judea, where they wanted to stone him, it was Thomas who said: “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” He was brave and honest.
On Easter evening he was absent. He would not simply accept the others' word: “Unless I see the mark of the nails… I will not believe.” A week later Jesus came and said: “Put your finger here and see my hands… Do not doubt but believe.” And Thomas fell down: “My Lord and my God!” No one in the Gospels says it more clearly: Jesus is not only teacher or prophet; he is Lord and God.
Jesus said: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” That is us. Our ancestors in Kerala did not see Jesus, but they believed the word of Thomas, who had seen and touched. And according to our tradition, Thomas sealed that word with his blood at Mylapore.
So today let us thank God for the faith we received. Let us not be ashamed of it in our schools, offices and on social media. And when doubt comes, do not run away from Jesus; bring it to him, as Thomas did. At this Qurbono, when the Holy Mysteries are raised, say in your heart with Thomas: “My Lord and my God.” Amen.
Children, St Thomas was one of Jesus' twelve apostles. He said he would not believe Jesus was alive unless he could touch his wounds!
Then Jesus came and showed him. Thomas said: “My Lord and my God!”
Later, Thomas travelled all the way to India to tell people about Jesus. That's why we are Christians today! Let's say with Thomas: “My Lord and my God!”
Lord Jesus, you showed your wounds to Thomas and led him from doubt to faith. Through his prayers keep us faithful to the faith he brought to India; make us witnesses in our land, and let our lives say with him: “My Lord and my God.” Amen.