My Lord and my God: Profession of Faith

In Syro-Malabar tradition faithful celebrate "PuthuNjayar" on the Sunday after Easter (Second Sunday during the period of resurection). During this day we remember the profession of faith of St. Thomas the apostle in the risen Lord- "My Lord and my God!" Our faith on Risen lord is based on the this proclamation of St. Thomas, the patron and Father of our religious tradition.  

"Little is recorded of St. Thomas the Apostle. Thomas was probably born in Galilee to a humble family, but there is no indication that he was a fisherman. He was a Jew, but there is no account of how he became an apostle to Christ. Nevertheless, thanks to the fourth Gospel his personality is clearer to us than some of the other Twelve. Thomas’ name occurs in Matthew (10:3), Mark (3:18), Luke (6) and Acts of the Apostles (1:13), but in the Gospel of John he plays a particularly distinctive part. Thomas is often condemned for his lack of belief, but Thomas was equally courageous, willing to stand by Jesus in dangerous times. He also relentlessly sought the Truth. Like an inquisitive child, he constantly asked questions. And, his wonderful profession, “My Lord and my God,” is the clearest declaration of Jesus’ divinity in Holy Scripture."(*)

 Generally we see a picture of doubting Thomas in his personality, He is little arrogant seem to be courageous and loyal but very innocent.St. John the evangelist has depicted these qualities of St. Thomas in his Gospel.

"When Jesus announced His intention of visiting the recently deceased Lazarus in Judea—a few miles from Jerusalem and dangerously close for someone as unpopular as He—Thomas said to his fellow disciples: “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). When the worried disciples wanted to keep Jesus from going for fear He would be stoned, Thomas, in a moment of bravery not often expressed by the Apostles before Pentecost, rallied the others to stay by their Master come what may." (*)

During the last supper discourse while Jesus was consoling his disciples and explaininf his paschal mystery figuratively Thomas innocently remarked  Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?”. How ever this innocent doubt...may be a holy doubt set the background for Jesus' revelation - I am the Way; I am Truth and Life. No one can come to the Father except through me  (John 14:6). This holy doubt provides Jesus an opportunity to teach one of the most profound and difficult truths of His ministry.This is the holy doubt that revealed the true person of Jesus.

However,  St. Thomas is remembered for being absent from the Upper Room the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples after His Resurrection. May be he might have left for some personal reasons. When others were afraid to go out out of fear. When the others told him a bout the appearence of Jesus he couldn't accept that. Being very loyal to the Master he could not stand this. He becomes very arrogant. In fact  his loyalty and faithfulness to the Lord Jesus makes him more arrogant.   Thomas dismissed the accounts of the others by saying, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands and put my finger into the nail marks, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe”(John 20:25). It is felt that Risen Jesus himself set the stage for consoling and comforting  Thomas. On the eight day when Jesus appeard before his disciples  and invited Thomas to see His wounds and to put his fingerin to his side. Thomas was humbled and made his act of faith. He fell at the feet of Jesus and said, “My Lord and my God!” and Jesus replied, “Because you have seen me, Thomas, you believed. Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believe” (John 20:25-29). This incident gave rise to the expression “doubting Thomas.” However we see the true nature of  Thomas the innocent, the arrogant, the doubtful and the loyal. 

The Phrase doubting Thomas is applicable to US-the faithful brought into life in his tradition. This trait in in our blood too...But like our patron Thomas we too express out faith in Risen Lord-"My Lord and my God!". Yes this is the profession of faith of a community as a whole. Yet each one of us should be able to profess this from ones's own experience with the risen Lord. Though out the Bible we see the faith experience of  different people who experienced their faith in Lord our God. Starting from Abraham, Issac, Jacob,Moses...Samuel..Kings -David, Soloman....Prophets- Eliah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial,  down the tradition Mary mother of Jesus, St. Joseph,  Peter ...Stephan ...St. Paul...and the Saints of catholic church. Every one experience Lord our God personally which made their life exemplary...Now It is our turn to take up the challenge of experiencing  our Lord Jesus in our day to day life and lead a  worthy life  sharing and witnessing HIM.

*(extract from:Christine Berta,parishioner, St. Thomas the apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road Naperville IL 60540).

INVITATION TO EXPERIENCE SUBLIME HAPPINESS

 “You give them something to eat"

(Lk 9/13, Mk 6/37) 
In the outskirts of Bethsaida Jesus instructs His disciples to feed the multitude gathered around him to listen the word of God. They expressed their helplessness pointing out they have only five loaves of bread and two fish. However, Jesus feels that they must share what they have. On the onset we see Jesus taking the bread and fish and sharing it after blessing them. More than five thousand people ate and were satisfied.    

Jesus and his disciples experienced that sublime happiness while  feeding  the multitude.  Jesus exhorts that feeding the hungry and giving a drink to the thirsty is an act of charity. He reminds us "whatever you did (acts of charity)  for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" (MT 25/ 40). When  we do such acts we experience a sublime happiness which nobody can snatch away from us.

People around the world are in search of happiness. They try different methods.. They spent a lot.. Some find happiness in amazing wealth, Some others find happiness in enjoying worldly pleasures, yet others find happiness in amassing power, positions and possessions. However, these hapiness are not everlasting it seems. That is what we leans from the day to day experiences. So what will give you a feeling of sublime happiness.

Yesterday after a long journey I was having my meals at the railway platform. I was sitting on a bench and was having a brisk meal. Though an old lady was sitting close to me I did not give much attention. After finishing the meal I was cleaning the bench that old lady looked at me and politely asked me to give something to drink. It was only then I looked at her. She was not a beggar. But someone who does not have enough money to afford a drink or a meal. I asked her whether she wanted something to eat. She readily said YES. I rushed to the nearby food counter and bought a meal packet and handed over to her. I just looked at her face and felt her happiness.

It was an eye opener to me. Though I have preached about sharing  meal and cited eventful  experiences shared by others. I have not done anything personally to experience that sublime happiness. Yes... yesterday I experienced that  SUBLIME HAPPINESS IN FEEDING THE NEEDY . I felt an inner joy... that was filling my heart. We may not be able to feed a hundred odd people around us. But at least I can feed one among them at least once. You will experience that happiness which is sublime. When we share a meal or a dinner with those who are in need you experience the real happiness rather than enjoying with your family members or friends in posh hotel... try  at least once in a while.

 Sublime happiness is the fruit of one's  sharing with the needy. It is not limited to food alone. In the context of last judgement (Mathew 25/ 31-46) Jesus exhorts  his disciples to take care of their  brethren in fulfilling their  basic needs by  sharing  what they have. However it should be out of one's  altruistic love and not out of force. But definitely one has to come out of self centeredness. Lord Jesus is inviting his disciples to experience that sublime happiness.