By Deacon Dan Gray, Middle School Teacher, Holy Family Catholic School
On the Sunday after Easter, we hear the familiar story of Jesus appearing to his disciples in the locked room. Thomas is not present and when he returns and is told of the encounter, he reacts with disbelief. He asks for proof. He wants to see and feel and hear it directly before he will buy the story. Later, when Jesus appears and invites Thomas to touch his wounds, Thomas’ heartfelt and humble response is “my Lord and My God!”. What powerful words! Thomas recognizes the real presence of Jesus in his midst.
Thomas is often disparaged for his initial skepticism about the reality of Jesus fully and physically present. His name has become synonymous with disbelief: a “Doubting Thomas”. I find this a bit unfair, why should he have believed such a far fetched story? He knew Jesus was dead. He knew that he would never be able to encounter him again. And yet it happened. The real presence of Jesus Christ in front of him, body, blood, soul and divinity. How lucky Thomas was to have this encounter! This very personal physical encounter with the one that he now knew for sure was God present. How interesting it would have been to observe this encounter. To see the joy on the face of Thomas and to see the reaction of the other disciples.
What does this story mean for us today? I think it is particularly appropriate to contemplate when we realize the struggle that many are having in recognizing that Jesus is physically present for them. We hear disturbing statistics about the number of Catholics who are having difficulty understanding the reality of Jesus truly present in the Eucharist. While it is not good to read these statistics, I think they give Catholic educators a unique opportunity.
This summer, I will have the privilege of representing Catholic educators from the Green Bay Diocese and particularly GRACE at the National Eucharistic Revival in Indianapolis. It promises to be a time of learning and energizing and renewal. I am excited to be able to bring back to this Diocese what I encounter. I am excited to be a part of an event that is wholly focused on the reality of Christ present in the Eucharist, and I cannot wait for the opportunity to help others understand what Jesus has given us. I cannot wait to share this experience with our students, our faculty and staff, our supporters, and the members of my home parishes of St. James in Cooperstown and St. Joseph Kellenersville.
In the end, my real hope is that when each of us encounters Christ’s present body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist, we not only say amen, yes I believe. I hope that we will also echo the words of Thomas: My Lord and My God.
Read other stories in the new GRACE Spring 2024 newsletter by clicking the button below.
The Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System consists of nine schools. We focus on the development of each student grounded in our foundation of Catholic faith for grades PK3-10.
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