New Sunday – First Sunday after Resurrection (English)

New Sunday – First Sunday after Resurrection.
– We call this Sunday, the New Sunday (Puthu njayar).
On this Sunday we remember the resurrected Christ appeared to St. Thomas with the other ten Apostles.

– “Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” (John 20:19-31).
– This reveals the Theology of the combination of two natures of Godhead and manhood in the person of Jesus Christ. Thomas’ long doubt was turned to certainty in the presence of his Lord. He fought for the right of seeing the risen Lord.
– There is a legend about Thomas. He was called Didymus, his two fingers were fused together; after touching the wounds of his Lord the fingers separated as normal, and the other Apostles kissed the hands of Thomas.
– The kissing of fingers (hands) started from there. Only the followers of St. Thomas (St. Thomas Christians) has the tradition of kissing the fingers (hand) of the priests/Bishops.
– The Lord Jesus’ appearance and His words provided a conclusion and a verdict on the faith of those who were full of doubts.
– Have we ever wondered why Thomas was not there with the ten apostles, in the first instance after resurrection when Jesus visited?.
– The Lord Jesus wanted to use the case of Thomas for all of us: Although we can neither see nor touch the Lord Jesus in our faith in Him, we are blessed because of our true faith, and we can see the Lord Jesus because of our true faith, and this kind of person is blessed.” Therefore this Sunday is called the New Sunday.