But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. John 20:24
I tread on this verse in trembling, because this innocuous verse has been the subject of much controversy in the life of Indian Orthodox Christians, thanks to Patriarch Yakub 111. Yet, with due respect to the Patriarch, I submit my humble thoughts since I cannot but touch on this topic while dealing with the Scriptural study of our Apostle. (I am of course not trained in theology and this is not an exhaustive rebuttal of any sort - just some unfiltered thoughts)
Verse 19 sets the context of the situation. The resurrected Lord appears to the assembly of the apostles and blesses them: "Peace be unto you".
The fact that Thomas physically missed this blessing is obvious. Due to reasons untold to us, Thomas was not with the assembly of the Apostles on the first Sunday of Resurrection. In fact, Thomas has been missing in action (as had most of the apostles) all through the events of the fateful, tragic, historic and
finally glorious weekend. Peter was seen for a time, John was seen in the background, not the rest of them, and indeed not Thomas.
How much Thomas himself rued not being present with the others that Sunday is seen from Thomas's words, as seen in subsequent verses.
From the time the Lord selected the twelve disciples, he trained them all, guided them all, appointed them all to be the fathers of His Holy Church. The entire group of the apostles were bound together as one. The teaching to any one was meant for all. This understanding of the "community of the apostles", rather
than as individuals, is important to understand the teachings of the Lord. "I will make you fishers of men" was meant not only for Peter and Andrew, but for the rest also.
When the Lord instituted the Sacrament of Holy Qurbana on the Passover, the entire community of Apostles were witnesses and partakers, (including Judas Iscariot). Thomas's absence from the scene of the first appearance of the Risen Lord to the community of the Apostles does not take away any part of the
spiritual and sacramental blessing Thomas received, as Thomas was represented sufficiently and appropriately by the rest, before the Lord. Each of them were representatives of the other, as they are today (how much sinful are our errors of factionalism based on the legacy of these Holy Apostles today?)
This concept of representation of each other in the community of Apostles is easily seen in the Second Appearance of the Lord when Thomas was present (v 26-29). Note that the Lord does not feel the need to repeat the act of "breathing" the Holy Spirit(v 22) to Thomas again as the Holy Act the previous
week included Thomas's full participation in absentia. These acts are divinely instituted sacraments and not empty rituals. A person once ordained is not ordained again. A person once baptised is not baptised again. If this was not the case, indeed, the all knowing risen Lord would have chosen another appropriate time for His first appearance to ensure Thomas was present with the rest for participating in the act of receiving the blessings, or at the least would have repeated the blessings when Thomas was present. But that was not at all needed as indeed Thomas was blessed in absentia.
It is the same idea that we use over and over again even today when we receive Holy Qurbana on behalf of and representing our faithful departed ones. It is the same idea that St. Paul later enumerated about baptism representing those who passed away.(1 Cor 15:29)
And to be sure - St. Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles was also not present at this scene,yet he too was blessed by the Lord through the act of blessing of the community of the Apostles.
Indeed Thomas was blessed that first Sunday, completely and perfectly, by the presence of the rest of the community of the Apostles.
Character of Thomas : Enlightened
Source : ICON
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