A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 20:24-29
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."
REFLECTION:
Do you find yourself in situations or relationships that take your peace away, that weigh on your mind and heart.? Do you ever wonder if indeed there is a God or if that what you believe has some holes in it? "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed" says the Lord to Thomas, the disciples and to us.
God chooses us. He chose us before we were born because His love is so immense that He had to share this love for all. So we were created for a purpose and a reason. For some, God might be harder to see in their lives. The beauty of His creation and His love might be covered up with reality here on earth. So how do we overcome the doubts, the fears and the fatigue that become our constant companions? How do we welcome the message, " to take up your cross" or when do we say, "My Lord, and my God"?
Unlike St Thomas, we have not seen the crucified Jesus nor the resurrected Christ. We are joyful because we believe that Jesus died for us on the cross and that He conquered sin, illness and death for us. God throws light upon the meaning of pain, joy and life. We cannot improve on God's will or plans for us. As Jesus looked for Thomas, He will look for us and will give us the grace and faith needed to experience His immense, neverending love as we look forward to our eternal birth.
May our priests counsel those suffering or those in doubt of the real presence of the Lord in our lives and in the Tabernacle.
