April 11, 2021
THE WORD, Source: John 29.24-29 (excerpt from today’s Gospel)
The Risen Jesus and the Unbelieving Thomas
(Thomas was absent when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. John 20.19-23)
24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 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”.
27 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.”
28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
A REFLECTION
(Today is Divine Mercy Sunday – for some a moment of special prayer and novena. Our emphasis will be on faith in Jesus Christ.)
For the early church – the church of the lifetime of the apostles – the core preaching was about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ relying on his death and resurrection. There would have been many stories about what Jesus said and did, and these would later be put together in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
There developed, too, inspired by the Holy Spirit that the gift of faith was not just for the Jewish people, but for anyone who would believe in Jesus Christ. There would have been many stories shared about Jesus Christ; what he said and what he did. But it would only be a later time that these will be written up as the Gospels we know today from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These were written beyond the lifetime of the apostles.
The role of faith is well emphasized in today’s Gospel reading.
Thomas lacking trust and faith says: “Unless I see, I will not believe.”
Jesus accedes to this demand, going so far as inviting Thomas to touch his wounds. And Thomas is struck by this gesture of Jesus.
We still believe, 2000 years later. We are given a great blessing by Jesus –
“Blessed are they who have not seen but have believed.”
It may be good today to remember those who transmitted the gift of faith to us – parents, parishes, schools, communities. The testimony of Peter and Paul are still part of our lives today. We believe – because they believed and shared that belief, that faith in Jesus Christ.
MY PRAYER
As always – try to be comfortable and quiet
Recall God’s presence before you and you before him
What grace or blessing would you ask for at this moment.
Perhaps I think of the many who have passed the faith onto me, the knowledge and love of Jesus
⦁ Lord, bless those who have blessed me with the gift of faith –
I consider how faith in Jesus changes my life – how I live with others –
my family, household helps coworkers, those who approach me for help – for whatever –
- Forgive me, Jesus, for the many moments I have been unfaithful to your example –
like Thomas, I come and kneel before you –
- Strengthen me in my life of faith – I want to believe –
- Jesus, I kiss your hands – I love you – thank you for your life and death and resurrection –
My Lord and My God!
