Podcast Summary: Catholic Saints – Episode: St. Thomas the Apostle

Release Date: July 3, 2025
Host: Mary McGhehan
Guest: Dr. Ben Akers, Chief Content Officer, Augustine Institute

Introduction

In the July 3, 2025 episode of Catholic Saints, produced by the Augustine Institute, host Mary McGhehan engages in an insightful discussion with Dr. Ben Akers about St. Thomas the Apostle. This episode delves into the life, personality, and enduring legacy of St. Thomas, aiming to inspire listeners through his example as a faithful apostle.

Understanding St. Thomas Among the Apostles

Mary McGhehan opens the conversation by emphasizing the series' goal: to explore the lives of saints in heaven and draw inspiration for contemporary faith lives. Dr. Ben Akers highlights that St. Thomas is one of the few apostles with recorded words in the Gospels, making his character and actions particularly accessible for study.

[00:37] Dr. Ben Akers: "St. Thomas is one of the 12 apostles, so these men just stand out as we're looking at in the history of the church."

The Name and Nickname of Thomas

The discussion moves to Thomas's name origins. While the Synoptic Gospels refer to him simply as Thomas, John's Gospel calls him Thomas the Twin or Didymus, suggesting he had a twin—a detail that adds depth to his personal story, though the twin's identity remains unknown.

[01:25] Mary McGhehan: "So Thomas is one of those named apostles called by Christ and then responded positively."

Scriptural Insights into Thomas's Personality

Dr. Akers guides listeners through key scriptural passages that illuminate Thomas's character:

1. Mark 3:13-19 – The calling of the apostles, where Jesus appoints the twelve, including Thomas. This passage underscores the role of discipleship, emphasizing being with Jesus as a precursor to being sent out as apostles.

   [05:06] Mary McGhehan: "That's beautiful."

2. John 11 – The story of Lazarus, where Thomas exhibits courage by expressing his willingness to die alongside Jesus despite the dangers in Judea.

   [09:11] Mary McGhehan: "Yes."

3. John 14 – During the Last Supper, Thomas questions Jesus about the way to the Father, prompting Jesus's profound declaration: "I am the way and the truth and the life."

   [11:38] Dr. Ben Akers: "So thank you, Thomas, for asking that question."

4. John 20 – The episode that earned Thomas the nickname "Doubting Thomas," where he demands physical proof of Jesus's resurrection, leading to a powerful affirmation of faith.

   [15:12] Dr. Ben Akers: "Yes. Right."

These passages collectively portray Thomas as a man of action, courage, and sincere inquiry, rather than mere doubt.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dr. Ben Akers on apostles’ role:

  [05:06] "He created them to do acts, to be with him, to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons."

• Mary McGhehan reflects on Thomas's bravery:

  [10:14] "Yeah, and also just encouragement that if you feel you are far away from the Lord, or if you are in some trouble to go back to the Lord."

• Dr. Ben Akers on the significance of Thomas's doubt:

  [24:18] "The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other apostles."

• Mary McGhehan highlights Thomas's model for faith:

  [28:01] "Yeah. So St. Thomas is a wonderful model for us of someone who encourages you."

The Legacy and Martyrdom of St. Thomas

The conversation transitions to the historical and traditional accounts of St. Thomas's missionary work and martyrdom. Dr. Akers explains that, following Jesus's Great Commission, Thomas traveled to regions beyond the Roman Empire, notably India, where he is believed to have established churches such as the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Catholic Churches. His martyrdom in India and the distribution of his relics, including the famous finger relic in Rome, are testament to his enduring legacy.

[25:02] Mary McGhehan: "And you said he was martyred. Do we know the specifics of his death?"

[26:54] Dr. Ben Akers: "But if you like to visit his finger, this is where Catholic stuff gets weird."

Lessons from St. Thomas on Doubt and Faith

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to understanding the role of doubt in faith, using Thomas as an exemplar. Dr. Akers distinguishes between doubts (persistent disbelief) and difficulties (challenges in understanding faith). He emphasizes that Thomas's journey from doubt to unwavering belief showcases the path to deeper faith through honest questioning and seeking answers from God.

[21:07] Dr. Ben Akers: "A doubt is like, you know, I'm just giving the theological definition an obstinate. I will not believe."

Mary McGhehan underscores the importance of approaching God with honest questions, fostering a more profound and resilient faith.

[28:01] Mary McGhehan: "Yes, ask those honest questions before our Lord. That's beautiful. Thank you."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Dr. Ben Akers summarizing the invaluable lessons from St. Thomas's life:

• Bravery and Leadership: Thomas's willingness to risk his life alongside Jesus exemplifies true leadership among the apostles.

• Sincere Inquiry: His questions, though perceived as doubts, demonstrate a sincere desire to understand and believe, setting a model for believers to engage with their faith authentically.

• Faith Through Doubt: Thomas's transformation from skepticism to profound declaration of faith ("My Lord and my God") illustrates that doubt can lead to strengthened belief and deeper understanding.

Mary McGhehan echoes these sentiments, encouraging listeners to embrace the example of St. Thomas by bringing their questions and doubts to God, trusting in His guidance to overcome uncertainties.

[27:58] Mary McGhehan: "Well, St. Thomas the Apostle pray for us."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Catholic Saints offers a comprehensive exploration of St. Thomas the Apostle, presenting him not just as the "doubting" disciple, but as a courageous leader and a model of sincere faith. Through scriptural analysis and theological insights, listeners are encouraged to view doubt as a stepping stone to deeper belief, inspired by Thomas's journey from skepticism to proclamation of faith.

For those interested in further exploring the lives of saints, the Augustine Institute offers additional resources and encourages listeners to become Mission Circle Partners to help share the Gospel's truth and beauty globally.

To watch this interview in video format or access other Catholic content, visit form.org. For more information on supporting the Augustine Institute, visit missioncircle.org.