At
this meeting was present also saint Thomas, who, although hearing the arguments
of the Apostles and the testimony of saint Peter asserting that he had seen the
Master risen, refused credit to the three disciples and the women, persevering
in doubt and unbelief. In a somewhat hasty manner, caused by his incredulity,
he left their company. Shortly after, when Thomas had left and the doors had
been locked, the Lord entered and appeared to the others. In their midst He
saluted them, saying: “Peace be with
you. It is I; do not fear.”
 |
| Jesus appears to the apostles |
At
this sudden apparition, the Apostles feared lest what they saw was a ghost or
phantasm, and the Lord added: “Why are
you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet,
that it is I myself; handle and see: for a spirit hath no flesh and bones, as
you see Me have.” The Apostles were so excited and confused, that though
they saw Him and touched the wounded hands of the Saviour, they could not realize,
that it was He to whom they spoke and whom they touched. The loving Master in
order to assure them still more, said to them: “Give Me to eat, if you have
aught.” Joyfully they offered Him some fried fish and a comb of honey. He ate
part of these, and divided the rest among them, saying: “Do you not know, that all that has happened with Me is the same that
has been written by Moses and the Prophets, in the Psalms and holy Scriptures,
and that all must necessarily be fulfilled in Me as it was prophesied?” And
at these words He opened their minds, and they knew Him, and understood the
sayings of the Scriptures concerning his Passion, Death and Resurrection on the
third day. Having thus instructed them, He said again: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you, in order
that you may teach the world the knowledge of the truth, of God and of eternal
life, preaching repentance for sins and forgiveness of them in my name.” Breathing
upon them, He added and said: “Receive
ye the Holy Ghost, in order that the sins which you forgive may be forgiven,
and those which you do not forgive, may not be forgiven. Preach ye to all
nations, beginning in Jerusalem.” Then the Saviour, having thus consoled
and confirmed them in faith, and having given them and all priests the power to
forgive sins, disappeared from their midst.
All
this took place in the absence of Thomas; but soon after, the Lord so
disposing, he returned to the assembly, and the Apostles told him what had
happened during his absence. Yet, though he found them so changed in joyful
exultation, he remained incredulous and obstinate, maintaining, that he would
not believe what all of them affirmed, unless he himself should see with his
own eyes and touch with his own hands and fingers the wounds of the Saviour’s
side and those of the nails (John 20, 25).
 |
| And Thomas would not believe them |
In this obstinacy the incredulous
Thomas persevered for eight days, when the Saviour again returned through
locked doors and appeared in the midst of the Apostles including Thomas. He
saluted them as usual, saying: “Peace be
with you,”
 |
| He appeared again second time |
and then calling Thomas, He sweetly reprimanded him. “Come, Thomas, and with your hands touch
the openings of my hands and of my side, and be not so incredulous, but
convinced and believing.” Thomas touched the divine wounds and was
interiorly enlightened to believe and to acknowledge his ignorance. Prostrating
himself to the ground he said: “My Lord
and my God!” to which the Lord replied: “Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed; but blessed are those
who do not see Me and believe Me.”
 |
| Saint Thomas touches the wound of Christ |
The Lord then disappeared, leaving the
Apostles and Thomas filled with light and joy. They immediately sought most
holy Mary in order to relate to Her what had happened, just as they had done
after the first apparition of the Lord.There were other apparitions and doings
of the Lord, as the Evangelist saint John gives us to understand; but only
those are mentioned, which suffice to establish the fact of the Resurrection.
