"The Incredulity of St. Thomas," Caravaggio, oil on canvas, circa 1601-1602 (Wikimedia Commons)
Consuelo Vélez
Editor's note: Welcome to Theologians' Corner, where each week a different woman theologian from around the world offers a fresh reflection on the Sunday readings. This column is also available in Spanish.
Second Sunday of Easter
April 12, 2026
This Gospel has three parts we can distinguish. First, Jesus appears to his disciples, but Thomas is not there. Second, he appears again, and this time Thomas is present. Third, the text explains why the Gospel was written.
In the first appearance, Jesus gives his own the eschatological gifts: peace, joy and the Spirit himself, the giver of all gifts. With the resurrection of Jesus, the fullness of time is arriving. Jesus, the one sent by the Father, now sends his followers to carry out the same mission.
In the second appearance, Thomas is present, and the invitation is to believe without having seen. The figure of Thomas reinforces this invitation, because he wants to see the marks of the nails and the spear. Yet, upon encountering Jesus, he makes his profession of faith: "My Lord and my God."
Faith requires a free and voluntary response; only then can the gifts of the Spirit be at work in us.
Jesus uses this dialogue with Thomas to tell us that those who have not seen and yet believe are blessed. Those first witnesses share their experience with us, and it is up to us to believe it. To the extent that we believe, others will be able to continue believing.
The Gospel concludes by explaining why these appearances of Jesus are recounted: so that we may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through him all may have life. John's Gospel, therefore, is a Gospel of witness, and today, as we listen to these testimonies, we are called to be witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus so that life may be abundant for all.
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Believing is not naively accepting a doctrine, but opening ourselves to the radical change that the presence of Jesus brings about in those who believe. Faith requires a free and voluntary response; only then can the gifts of the Spirit be at work in us.
May it be that on this Second Sunday of Easter we renew our faith and become witnesses to the Lord's resurrection, so that the gifts of the Spirit may take effect in our world and the Kingdom may continue to unfold in our history.
