Gospel of John Chapter 20: The Resurrection and Thomas's Confession

Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty on Sunday morning and runs to tell Peter and the beloved disciple. Peter enters the tomb and sees the burial cloths neatly folded — not ripped off in a struggle, but deliberately arranged. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, who initially mistakes him for the gardener (a profound irony: in the garden of the new creation, the New Adam appears to the first witness). That evening, Jesus appears to the disciples, shows his wounds, breathes on them, and gives them the power to forgive sins: 'Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.' Thomas, absent, refuses to believe unless he can touch the wounds. A week later, Jesus appears again and invites Thomas to touch. Thomas responds with the greatest confession in Scripture: 'My Lord and my God!'

According to Catholic teaching, Jesus is not a ghost. He shows his wounds, eats fish, is touched. The resurrection is bodily — a transformed but real body.

According to Catholic teaching, John 20:22-23 is the biblical institution of Confession: Jesus breathes on the apostles (echoing Genesis 2:7 — new creation!) and gives them authority to forgive or retain sins.

According to Catholic teaching, Thomas is not condemned for doubting — he is brought to faith through encounter. 'Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.'

John 20:22-23 is the Catholic Church's primary biblical text for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). The CCC teaches that in this passage, Jesus entrusts to the apostles the ministry of reconciliation (CCC 1441, 1461, 1485). The breathing of the Spirit echoes God breathing life into Adam (Gen 2:7) — this is the new creation. Thomas's confession — 'My Lord and my God!' — is the prayer Catholics are encouraged to pray silently at the elevation of the Eucharist during Mass.