St Thomas the Apostle

St Thomas, who was also known as Didymus in Greek, was a jew called by Jesus to be one of His twelve apostles.

The New Testament contains several references to Thomas the Apostle. Whereas all three synoptic Gospels (Gospels according to Mark, Matthew, and Luke) give a few mentions, the Gospel according to John carries three memorable and decisive incidents involving Thomas.

Following is a brief mention of these three references:

• John 11: Jesus, on learning that his friend Lazarus at Bethany is dead, prepares to go go Bethany to wake up Lazarus. Because of Jesus' enemies in Judea at that time, the journey was quite risky. Because enemies were planning to Kill Jesus, other apostles try to dissuade Jesus from taking the risk. When Thomas learns that Jesus is still proposing to go to Bethany in Judea, he says to other apostles: "Lets us also go, that we may die with Him." (Jn 11:16)
• John 14: In the second instance, Thomas's inability to understand Jesus results in a wonderful revelation. At the Last Supper, Jesus says that he is about to leave the apostles and that the apostles know the way to where Jesus is going. Thomas now asks our Lord: "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" (Jn 14:5) To this, Jesus gives the sublime answer: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Jn 14:6) Jesus continues: "If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." (Jn 14:7)
• John 20: The best-known reference relates to Thomas's reaction to the news of our Lord's resurrection. Jesus, after His resurrection, appeared to the disciples on Easter Sunday. (Jn 20:19-23) But Thomas was not with them when Jesus came. When the apostles inform Thomas of Jesus' resurrection, he insists: "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." (Jn 20:25) A week later, Jesus appears again to the apostles including Thomas. Jesus says to Thomas: "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." (Jn 20:27) Thomas now calls out the greatest cries of all: "My Lord, and My God!" (Jn 20:28) - an acknowledgement of Jesus' Lordship and a public profession of Thomas's faith in the Divinity of Jesus. Jesus says to Thomas: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." (Jn 20:29)

"My Lord, and My God!" (Jn 20:28) is the most explicit statement of faith in the New Testament.

Thomas's doubt gave rise to the expression "Doubting Thomas".

"Blessed are they who believe without seeing" (Jn 20:29) is a compliment to all of us believers.

It is believed that St Thomas reached India in AD 52. He established several churches, leading to the birth of Christianity in India. These churches include those at Palayoor, Paravoor, Malayattoor, Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Nilackal, and Kollam.

St Thomas is believed to have been martyred in AD 72 at Mylapore near Madras.

Pope Paul VI declared St Thomas as the Apostle of India in 1972.

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