The Sending and the Conviction

On Easter, Jesus breathed on his disciples to send them, and they became his Apostles. So it was fitting and wonderful that Thomas was absent, for his stubborn refusal to believe without inspection led to his convincing. Note, he was not chided for his refusal to believe, but was given the proof he sought. This was so that he--and all the Apostles--could be sent armed with proof. And so it is that the Apostolic messengers (ordained pastors) might also armed with the documentation (the Biblical record) that Christ is indeed risen from the dead, and therefore the forgiveness of sins through his name might be delivered in their preaching and in the sacraments they give. Sermon for Quasimodogeniti is here (click this link).

---