Thomas had not been with the other disciples when Jesus first appeared to them after the resurrection, and when they told him about it his first reaction was a normal one – he did not believe it.  Thomas is permanently labelled a ‘doubter’ just because of this story.  Perhaps we should not fault him for that, – he was being confronted with a story that simply defies human imagination.   One Christian magazine had a cartoon which shows an angry Thomas crying out, “All I’m saying is why don’t you call Peter ‘Denying Peter.’” 
And that’s a thought – after all Peter denied three times!!

We know, of course, how the story of Thomas came out. Jesus appeared again to the disciples a week later, and the first person he speaks to, after he says to his disciples “Peace be with you”, is Thomas.  “Put your finger here”, he says to Thomas.  See my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe.”
And Thomas – seeing him, believes and says to him, – and I can imagine the awe and conviction in his voice – “My Lord, and my God!”

And history suggests that Thomas became a driven person.  He is traditionally believed to have sailed to India in 52AD to spread the Christian faith among Jews who were living in Kerala at the time.  He remained in India, dying a martyr’s death, but 2000 years later his work remains evident in the “Mar Thoma” Churches of India, still surviving as testament to his activity.

Thomas was martyred. And throughout 2000 years Christians have faced challenges as they proclaim the Gospel.  Just as the marks of his love were once shown in Christ’s own physical body, they have been shown in the people of his church, which is everywhere called the Body of Christ – and are meant to be shown in us.

Over the years I’ve met a wide variety of people in the Church – some very different from me. But among them were many who had the hallmark of Christ upon them, who walked in the light with lives touched by the grace of God, and I learnt something from each of them.  The risen Christ wishes his hallmark to be seen in each of us, to help us break through our fears and doubts. Let us hear his words “Peace be with you” and respond “My Lord and my God” 

The following hymn brings to God our doubt, fears – and all that can undermine our faith. But it goes on to say “You bear my cross and dry my human tears”