The Lutheran Church remembers St. Thomas, one of the twelve, on December 21st. Little mention is made of Thomas in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) beyond his inclusion among the twelve disciples. Of course, as one of the twelve, St. Thomas was present for much of our Lord’s ministry – his teaching, miracles, and passion. It is, however, in St. John’s Gospel that we get a peek into the character of this apostle and martyr.
We hear from Thomas three times in the gospel of John. First, St. Thomas joins the choir of disciples who would appear to misunderstand Jesus at Lazarus’ death. When Jesus speaks plainly that Lazarus is not merely sleeping but dead, Thomas responds, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” For this Thomas might already be considered an outspoken disciple, even before his famous doubting scene, but some would point out that Thomas is on to what Jesus is about: that they must all first go and die like Lazarus so that they might also join in his Lord’s resurrection. Later in chapter 14, it is Thomas who asks, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus responds that he himself is the way, truth, and life. To know the Father is first and foremost to know Jesus.
The final time Thomas is mentioned in the book of John is the famous scene that gives him the nickname “Doubting Thomas.” After the resurrection, Jesus appears first to Mary and then to his disciples in a locked room—that is, to all but Thomas. When the others shared the news of Jesus’ appearance with him, Thomas replies that he will not believe unless he sees Jesus himself and places his fingers in the very spots where his Lord was wounded at his crucifixion. Luther understands this in the way we most commonly hear today, that Thomas is sinning in disbelief, earning the moniker of a doubter. But another way of reading Thomas’ response is that he perceives his need to experience Jesus in the same way as his brothers. Thomas desires the body of Jesus and to be a faithful follower, which would attest to his faith!
Eight days later Jesus appears to the disciples again, but this time Thomas is there and gets to do what he had said. Thomas now joins in the communion of disciples, the faithful—the believing—who experience their Lord and speaks the beautiful, moving confession, “My Lord and my God!”
It is well established that Thomas traveled as far as India with the Gospel and died a martyr there, where he is said to have put to death with a spear. To this day a group of Christians in India refer to themselves as the Saint Thomas Christians, claiming that their church was founded by Thomas himself.
Brief History
Even though is St. Thomas is only mentioned a handful of times in the New Testament, he was one of the twelve, a martyr, and a missionary, and was consequently commemorated as early as the ninth century.
His feast, along with many others, was retained by the Lutherans during the Reformation who recognized the benefit of acquainting ourselves with the lives and good works of God’s saints. But in the Roman Catholic Church, the date of his feast was changed to July 3rd in 1969. Meanwhile, in the East and in many Western churches, including the Lutheran Church, St. Thomas’s Day remains on December 21st, the shortest day of the year, and often marks the beginning of the Christmas cleaning and baking preparations.
In the Lutheran liturgical calendar, St. Thomas is also found in the Easter season when on the eighth day of Easter, Quasimodogeniti, the historic Gospel reading gives the same account of Thomas and Jesus following the resurrection.
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, who through the Word of Thy Son didst mightily strengthen the faith of Thy Apostle Saint Thomas: by the same Word keep us ever steadfast in the faith unto our end; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Lessons
Resources
Issues, Etc. interview with the Rev. Dr. William Weinrich on the resurrection according to John’s gospel.
Propers found in Daily Divine Service Book: A Lutheran Daily Missal, edited by the Rev. Heath Curtis
References:
1. Wilken, Todd, host. “The Resurrection According to John’s Gospel.” 22 April 2019. https://issuesetc.org/2019/04/20/1122-the-resurrection-according-to-johns-gospel-dr-bill-weirich-4-22-19/
Images:
1. St. Thomas from Christ and the Apostles, Hans Baldung, Germany, 1519.
2. Reproduction of The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio, Italy, 1601.
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[…] St. Thomas’s Day falls on December 21st, which, most years, also happens to coincide with the winter solstice. Even though the daylight hours are short, this day is traditionally devoted to preparing for the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity. […]