A Reflection for the Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle
Find today’s readings here.
“My Lord and my God.” John 20:28
The entire church mumbled something, but I couldn’t make it out.
I grew up speaking Spanish, but my family didn’t attend Mass regularly until we moved to the United States. At first, we almost always went to Mass in English.
Then, years later, I attended a Spanish-language Mass. The pews were full and nearly everyone—even those who didn’t have kneelers—were on their knees. The priest elevated the consecrated host, and everyone began to say something.
They did it again when he held up the chalice. I made out the beginning of the phrase, “Señor mío…” At subsequent Masses, I listened more carefully, and heard the full phrase, “Señor mío y Dios mío,” that is, “My Lord and my God.”
Many of the Spanish-speaking faithful across the United States say this aloud when the celebrant holds up the body and blood of Christ at Mass, echoing the words of St. Thomas the Apostle in today’s Gospel.
Thomas was not present when the Risen Christ appeared to the Apostles. They told him Jesus had risen from the dead, but Thomas didn’t believe it–hence the moniker “Doubting Thomas,” which is a bit unfair. He had mourned the death of his friend for days, and now he was supposed to believe he came back to life? Without seeing it for himself?
It can also be hard to believe that what appears as bread and wine is the body and blood of Christ. When Thomas comes face to face with Jesus, he sets aside his skepticism and believes. But two thousand years later, we do not have the benefit of seeing Jesus as St. Thomas did.
I must confess, it has never been easy for me to believe in the Real Presence of Christ in such simple elements like bread and wine. But over the years, I have found it much easier to recognize the presence of Christ in the Eucharist when I see the face of Christ in people I meet. It makes sense. Jesus didn’t call St. Thomas on his own. He was called along with 11 others.
We are called to live out our faith together, in community. And it is so much easier to believe side-by-side with hundreds of others who witness the Real Presence of Christ. Gazing upon the Eucharist, I can say with them the words of St. Thomas: “Señor mío y Dios mío,” “My Lord and my God.”
