Sunday Gospel for today deals with Jesus appearing to the Apostles and calling out Thomas for questioning, not believing that He (Jesus) had risen from the dead. Thomas was not present when Jesus made his first appearance to 10 of the 12 Apostles. (Guess who the other absentee was.)

After Thomas was informed that he had missed the action, he not only pushed back and said that he did not believe it, he expanded on his take by saying that he would not believe until he had stuck his finger into Jesus’ wound.

When all that went down, it became known as “The Incredulity of Thomas” and led to this famous painting with that title.

I always felt that Thomas got a bit of a bum rap on this deal being that he is generally referred to as “Doubting Thomas.” Just because he voiced a little concern about the veracity of someone coming back from the dead, he lives on forever known for his “mistake.” Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, but we don’t call him Denying Peter do we? There was also some other Gospel report that has Mary Magdalene telling the Apostles that she had seen Jesus and yet none of them believed her either. (That Mary was the first person Jesus visited after His Resurrection, think maybe He had risen in more ways than one?!)

Thus, I could make the case that they were all doubters until Jesus checked in with them and then they all became believers. Thomas saw Jesus and he too became a believer. No problem with Thomas needing some proof, and I contend that he should forever be known as Believing Thomas and not as Doubting Thomas.

Neil-written tune here for you that was a big hit for the Monkees. (Look for Barbara Eden in the video appearing not as Jeannie, but kissing Golly Gee Barney in the 4th clip (00:15.) Barb is still around at 94, making me wonder if she was ever granted a wish to have a very long life! I’m a believer in that kind of stuff you know!)

Bob Simmons is our Buzzy podcast guest for tomorrow so tune in for it. We have it loaded up and ready for you on YouTube.