Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/769

 Again He  said:  “Peace  be  to  you! As the  Father  hath sent Me,  I also  send  you.”  When  He  had  said  this  He  breathed upon them,  saying:  “Receive  ye  the  Holy  Ghost. Whose sins you shall  forgive,  they  are  forgiven  them;  and  whose  sins  you shall retain,  they  are  retained.”

Now it  so  happened  that  Thomas  was  not  with  the  other apostles when  Jesus  appeared  to  them. Therefore they  told  Thomas afterwards that  they  had  seen  the  Lord. But Thomas  declared that he  would  not  believe  unless  he  saw  in  His  Hands  and  in His  Feet  the  print  of  the  nails.

Eight days  after,  the  apostles  were  again  assembled,  Thomas being in  their  midst. And Jesus  suddenly  appeared  to  them, saying: “Peace  be  to  you!”  Then  He  told  Thomas  to  put  his finger in  the  print  of  the  nails  in  His  Hands  and  Feet,  and  to  put his hand  into  His  Side. Thomas did  so,  and  exclaimed  with fervour: “My  Lord  and  my  God!” Jesus  replied: “Because  thou hast seen  Me,  Thomas,  thou  hast  believed. Blessed are  they  that have not  seen,  and  have  believed.”

Proof of  the  Resurrection  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. Jesus  appeared in the  midst  of  the  assembled  apostles,  let  Himself  be  touched  by  them,