“After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you’” (John 20:26).
If the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples teach us anything, it’s don’t be late to church. Failing to be where he should have been the previous Sunday, gathered with the other disciples, Thomas missed out on what was, for the other disciples, a significant event in their faith development. It’s no mistake that Jesus revealed himself in the community of his disciples (v.19) on successive Sundays. Christianity would not be a privatized, individualized, mystical religion, but rather, it is the word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. It’s only in the rhythmic gathering of the community of believers that faith and understanding grows.
Bobby Dagnel 