The disciple who at first did not believe, St. Thomas has become for the Church one of the first witnesses to her faith. She is fond of appealing to his testimony and frequently puts in our mouths those simple words whereby he expressed the fervor of his regained faith: “My Lord and my God.” It is known that St. Thomas preached the Gospel in Asia beyond the frontiers of the Roman Empire, probably in Persia and as far as India where St. Thomas Christians still are. We should bear in mind all that we owe to the Apostles. St. Paul recalls it for us in today’s Epistle telling us that they are the foundation of the Church of which Christ is the cornerstone; through whom we become fellow citizens with the Saints and belong to the house of God.

Antiphon for December 21: O Dawn of the East, brightness of the light eternal, and Sun of Justice, come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.