The relevant article is found here: My Lord and My God
1. John 20:19-29 is about the first two Sundays after the death of the Lord on Good Friday. The first Sunday -- according to John -- was marked by appearances, first to the Magdalene, and then to the disciles. During the appearance to the disciples, Thomas was absent. When he heard the announcement of the Lord's resurrection, he would not believe it. He was absent, so he would not believe.
Our Sunday gathering is the place where Jesus makes himself known. Absence from the gathering can spell the difference between those who believe and those who do not.
How much do you value your attendance at Sunday Mass? Please explain your answer.
2. Jesus shows his disciples his hands and his side. In Luke 24:36f, Jesus also eats. This is to show the disciples that the same Christ who died on the Cross is also the same one who is appearing before them alive. This is polemical in intent, for there were already those who were believing that there was no Resurrection because
(a) Jesus did die and his body was spirited away by the disciples (cf. Matthew), or
(b) Jesus did not really die
The second was taught by a group called the Gnostics who taught that the one on the cross was not Jesus but simply an "appearance." The real Jesus was God and therefore could not have died.
This Gnostic "faith" is expressed in the newly published "Gospel of Judas". It was not included among the four gospels (like some twenty or more others) because of what it proclaims about Christ. The wounds of the Risen Christ was important because these were proof that the Risen One is the same Christ whom the apostles knew before and during Good Friday.
Whenever you come to recite that part of the Creed which says: "...he suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified, died and was buried..." have you ever wondered why this detail had to be included as essential to the belief of a Christian? Please explain your answer.
3. Thomas declares "My Lord and My God". The Iglesya Ni Cristo of Manalo (founded 1914 in Punta, Sta. Mesa PH) explains this away by citing texts that purportedly show that the apostles can be mistaken about Jesus. In fact, they say that this is a mere interjection, an expression of surprise and amazement like "Hesusmaryosep". Thomas is a Jew and would not use God's name in vain. In fact, there is no equivalent interjection among the Jews whether past or present. (See this article in Filipino entitled "Nagulat Nga Ba Si Tomas?" ). See also this article by Bruce Metzger, eminent textual critique, on The Deity of Christ.
Could you cite other passages where Jesus is referred to -- whether directly or indirectly -- as God?
