Its time for Thomas to have his moment of glory. What is important here is not so much that he doubted the resurrection - surely that is a natural response to such a stupendous happening - rather that when presented with the truth he made the act of will to believe. Faith always takes courage. There was nothing to stop Thomas from asking for more scientific opinion or declaring that he was being confronted with a magic trick or some kind of fraud. The act of faith must always be a free one nevertheless we have an obligation in divine law to acknowledge the truth when we find it and adhere to it. In the 1983 Code of Canon Law we read:
Canon 748 §1. All persons are bound to seek the truth in those things which regard God and his Church and by virtue of divine law are bound by the obligation and possess the right of embracing and observing the truth which they have come to know.
§2. No one is ever permitted to coerce persons to embrace the Catholic faith against their conscience.
Thomas used his freedom to embrace the truth that Jesus is risen and to believe in him. How do I use my freedom?
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