Feast of St James, Apostle

St Thomas is famous for doubting Jesus’ resurrection, but his unbelief vanished before the risen Christ.  Thomas gave us the exclamation of Easter faith: ‘My Lord and my God.’  Apart from the Gospels, nothing certain is known about his life and ministry.  The Christians of Malabar (west coast of India) honour Thomas as founder of their Church. The Church of Syria takes its liturgy from St Thomas and since 232 has honoured him on this date.

In the first reading from the letter to the Ephesians we are told that all of us are “part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations” and in the Gospel (John 20:24-29) we hear the Risen Lord’s words to Thomas “Put your finger here; look, here are my hands.  Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe” and we hear Thomas’ reply “My Lord and my God!”