Remembering Saint Thomas, The Apostle
The Lordship of Christ Over The Seasons
Didymus and Doubt
In the hushed moments of dawn, the sun emerged like a bridegroom stepping out of his chamber. The timing was poignant, yet the jubilant revelry around him grated on his senses.
In the midst of this early hour, an unsettling question lingered:
“How could they partake in celebration during such solemnity?”
Deception hung heavy in the air — accusations of lies and lunacy echoed in the mind of Didymus. Doubt was cast over the eyes of his heart like a shadow. On top of that, he was beginning to worry about their impending fate. What would come from those who participated in this revolutionary’s lunacy?
He thought to himself:
“The one we hailed as a companion, this Nazarene, has orchestrated a grand deception. He professed to be the anointed one promising a kingdom flourishing like a tree. Yet, he now stands felled, reduced to a mere stump in the earth. He proclaimed himself as the Word incarnate, the Logos made flesh. Yet, how does the very Word that birthed and structured all existence find itself extinguished by the very beings it purportedly brought into being?”
Barely catching his breath from pursuing John, Peter rushed toward Thomas, bursting with excitement. "Thomas, I must share what we've discovered in the garden! The one who raised Lazarus has now triumphed over death! We have seen the Lord!"
Didymus halted him abruptly. This proclamation pushed him beyond the brink. His supposed friends had descended into utter lunacy. Thinking quietly to himself, “Does a dead man rise like a phoenix from the ashes?” He knew well that all they had found in the garden was ash and myth.
“Unless I see and touch the nail marks in his hands and put my hand into the wound in his side, I will never believe.”
In this moment, Didymus lived up to his name. Not only was he known as "the twin," but now, his doubts had doubled. Not only had he come to doubt the one, but he had also come to doubt the many.
Transcendence and Imminence
Eight days had passed.
Didymus found himself in a profound struggle. Contemplating his association with these individuals, he grappled with a crucial decision. Should he persist in aligning himself with this group of friends who were also possible lunatics and liars, or would it be more prudent to return to the temple, rejoining his people in anticipation of the arrival of the anointed one?
Yet, he couldn’t shake the fact that he had seen His friend do extraordinary things — Indeed, miraculous things. The resurrection of Lazarus lingered in his mind. The scent of death couldn’t be faked. It permeated the air and enveloped him and the entire group. Lazarus walked out of the grave.
Pondering this, he thought: "If he has the power to raise others, could he not also raise himself?"
This is the only thing that kept the scales of faith and doubt balanced for him. That, and he couldn’t discount the joy of those who claimed to have seen the risen One. And so, he chose to unite with the disciples in their regular meeting house, where the doors were firmly locked.
As the chatter picked up, Didymus drifted into deep contemplation. He couldn’t help but liken himself to Daniel in the furnace with the Hebrew boys. His faith, like precious metal in the crucible, had been tried, and he remained uncertain about what remnants would emerge from the separating dross.
The chatter continued on.
And then suddenly, it came to an abrupt halt, fading away like a mere whisper in the wind when all in the upper room sensed the mysterious presence of Another among them.
"Peace be with you!"
Upon hearing these uttered words from the familiar Word, Thomas was drawn from his contemplation. As he turned, a sudden sight captivated him. There stood the eternally begotten Son of God Himself. His gaze met the gaze of Thomas and he said to him, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Overwhelmed by the undeniable reality before him, Thomas uttered in awe, "My Lord and my God!"
The balance of the scales shifted, and he, in reverence, bowed low before the risen One, transcendent and near, in radiant glow.
The Golden Legend of Saint Thomas
Pentecost arrived.
The Ascended One took His seat at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, reigning high above all rule and authority. The upper room, akin to a fiery furnace for Didymus, now brimmed with the Spirit of God. Following this, the few transformed into a multitude.
As the years passed, he found himself in Caesarea Phillipi, ministering at the foot of Mount Hermon where the Watchers had come down before God baptized the world with the deluge. Thomas witnessed thousands forsake the City of Man to embrace citizenship in the City of God. The spirits of the fallen were being exorcised through the power of the Spirit of the Risen One.
It has been said that it was there that the Lord appeared to him and said:
With steadfast faith, Thomas responded, "You are my Lord, and I am your servant. Your divine will, I embrace."
And so, the tale unfolds that the youthful provost walked through Caesarea Philippi’s bustling markets. Amidst the scene, the Lord's voice reached him, inquiring: "Young one, what shall you purchase?" To which he replied: "My lord sends me in quest of a sage in the craft of masonry, to fashion for him a palace inspired by the grandeur of Rome's handiwork."
It was then that the Lord delivered to him Thomas. And they departed and sailed until they came into a city where the king was preparing a wedding for his daughter.
The Apostle bestowed blessings upon the newlywed pair, uttering:
"Lord God, bestow upon these children the benediction of your right hand, and plant within their hearts the seeds of life."
After this, The Apostle was brought before the king, and together, they laid the blueprints for a palace rivaling the splendors of Rome. In gratitude for Thomas's skill masonry, the king bestowed upon him abundant treasures. Departing to another province, the king left, and Thomas, in his benevolence, distributed the entire treasury among the destitute. Through his preaching and charity, countless souls come to faith.
Upon the king's return, witnessing Thomas's actions, he, fueled by wrath, cast him into the darkest dungeons with intentions of execution and incineration. However, during this grim period, Gad, the king's brother, passed away.
On the fourth day of Gad's demise, an astounding resurrection occurred. Gad addressed his brother, revealing, "The man you seek to slay, and burn is a friend of God. Angels serve him, leading me to paradise. There, I beheld a splendid palace of gold, silver, and precious stones, marvelously crafted. The angels conveyed that this is the palace Thomas has fashioned for you. However, your brother has been deemed unworthy. If you dwell there, however, God will raise you, and you shall acquire it from your brother."
Upon this revelation, the Apostle was released, and the king, humbled, prostrated himself, seeking forgiveness. It is said that Thomas spoke to him:
"God has graciously revealed His secrets to you. Now, believe in Jesus Christ, be baptized, and become a prince in the imperishable realm."
A month after this, the Apostle gathered the entire province together and prayed for them and instructed them in the faith. It is recounted that over forty thousand souls believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ and were baptized.
The Crown of Martyrdom
Following this, the accounts tell us that Thomas journeyed into India, imparting teachings and performing countless miracles among the people.
As he preached, it is recounted that his words eventually incurred the wrath of the king once more. The king, angered, ordered pieces of burning iron to be brought forth to subject the Apostle to torment with his feet bound. Yet, by the divine will, a spring of water erupted from the ground, quenching the burning iron.
Undeterred, the king then commanded that Thomas be cast into a fiery furnace. However, through the divine will, the furnace's intensity was tempered, and the next day, the Apostle emerged unharmed.
Driven by the counsel of his cousin, Carisius, the king devised a plan to coerce Thomas into offering sacrifice to a pagan god, hoping to incur divine displeasure.
How would they achieve this?
Their strategy involved employing skilled painters to craft an image of a deity, intending to deceive Thomas into bowing before it. Thomas was led to a mount called Parangimalai, where he was compelled to kneel before the idol. Yet, as soon as the Apostle knelt, he proclaimed, "Lo! See that I worship, but not the idol. I adore, but not the metal. I worship, but not the false image. I honor and worship my Lord Jesus Christ in whose name I command you, devil, concealed within this image, to shatter this false idol."
The image, it is said, melted like wax, causing the Indian priests to lament like distressed beasts. Yet, it was at this moment that Thomas met his earthly end. A temple priest raised a spear and thrust it through the Apostle, declaring, "I shall avenge the injury to my god." Fulfilling the words of His Lord years earlier, he returned to Him with the crown of martyrdom.
The Christian men to whom the Apostle had been a spiritual father took his body and laid it to rest. Today, the Santhome (San Thome) Cathedral stands over the tomb of Saint Thomas, rising, like a phoenix towards the heavens. In a twist of fate, the palace that was supposed to be built for the Indian king ended up being built for King Jesus, and the Apostle Thomas was indeed the master mason.
The Feast of Saint Thomas, The Apostle
Traditionally, the church has remembered Saint Thomas the Apostle on December 21st. This is the day of the Winter Solstice, which is the longest night and shortest day of the year.
Some of the customary practices associated with Saint Thomas Day is warding off of dark things. Farmers used to walk their land, blessing it with incense, holy water, and blessed salt.
There’s also an old saying accompanied with Saint Thomas Day. That is,
St. Thomas day, St. Thomas gray,
The longest night and shortest day
In observance of this, people would commonly light candles and kindle fires in their fireplaces.
Another tradition hailing from England involves the poor going "a-Thomasing" on Saint Thomas Day. This essentially means going door to door, often referred to as "mumping," "gathering," "Christmasing," or "gooding." This practice was perhaps singing or chanting which resulted in receiving provisions such as flour, apples, bread, ale, oatmeal, cheese, coal, or candles which would help the poor celebrate Christmas. A rhyme that was used at Bliston Staffordshire in the nineteenth-century encouraged this practice of charity:
Well a day, well a day,
St Thomas goes too soon away,
Then your gooding we do pray,
For the good times will not stay,
St Thomas grey, St Thomas grey,
The longest night and the shortest day,
Please to remember St Thomas’s day.
In parts of Canada, the day is known as "pie day." Families bake meat pies, allowing them to cool and freeze for later consumption during the feast of the Epiphany.
For this Saint Thomas Day, kindle a fire in your fireplace. Bless your home, a gesture against the encroaching darkness on this year's longest night. Share the warmth with your family by crafting a pie together. Extend a hand in "gooding," perhaps inviting a less fortunate friend over, embodying the spirit of charity. And in all of that, remember Saint Thomas, the Apostle, and let his story direct you to the story of Jesus Christ.
A Liturgy to Bless Your Home
Through the ages, Almighty God has moved his people to build homes and to set apart places as sacred space for Him to dwell. With gratitude, we are now gathered together to consecrate and dedicate this home in God’s name.
Let us pray.
O Eternal God, mighty in power, of majesty incomprehensible, whom the heavens cannot contain, much less the walls of temples made with hands: You have graciously promised your holy presence where your faithful servants are gathered together in the Name of your Son. Be present with us who now come with humility and gratitude to consecrate this place to the honor of your great Name. We dedicate it to you and your kingdom, separating it from all profane use. Accept, O Lord, this service at our hands, and fill this place with your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Lift up your heads, O you gates, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory? It is the LORD, strong and mighty, even the LORD, mighty in battle. The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. – Psalm 24:7-8, 10
The Minister marks the threshold of the door with the sign of the Cross of Christ saying
Peace be to this house and to all who enter here: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Here the Minister may use Blessed Water on the threshold of all the doors of the home to remind the enemy of the baptismal waters of the residents of the home and their defeat in Jesus Christ
May our Lord Jesus Christ put His seal upon this place and protect it from all evil and darkness, that it may be a beacon of his truth and love.
Everliving Father, watchful and caring, our source and our end: All that we are and all that we have is yours. Hear us now, as we dedicate this home to which we come to praise your Name. Be present always to guide and to judge, to illuminate and to bless your people.
Lord Jesus Christ, make this a temple of your presence and a house of prayer. Be always near us when we seek you in this place. Draw us to yourself to find comfort and wisdom, to be supported and strengthened, and to rejoice and give thanks. Grant, Lord Christ, that here we may be united with you and with one another, so that our lives may be sustained and sanctified for your service.
Holy Spirit, open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts, that we may grow closer to you through joy and through suffering. Be with us in the fullness of your power and with this household, as we grow in grace through the years, and at last, when we are committed into the Father’s hand.
The Minister pronounces the sentence of Consecration
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, I, N., by divine grace, and by virtue of the spiritual authority entrusted to me, now therefore consecrate this home, setting it apart from all unhallowed and profane use, and dedicating it to Almighty God.
May it be forever blessed.
Amen.