Let us begin our reflection by asking a simple question. Why did Jesus tell Thomas to put his finger into the wounds in his hands, and to put his hand into his side? Would it not be sufficient for Thomas just to see Jesus? No, I don’t think it would be. Thomas must realize deep in his heart how much Jesus suffered. And the ONLY WAY to know this was to sensibly feel the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side. It is the ONLY WAY by which his futile dreams of a triumphant Messiah could be corrected.
I think that it is not difficult for us to understand Thomas’s doubt. It is not difficult because we all experience the very same phenomenon many times in our own life. When everything is progressing smoothly, we are happy and at peace. However, is it not true that when a problem occurs, we often become anxious, if not discouraged? Why do we feel downcast? We feel that way because we forget God’s loving presence in our heart. This is why it is important for us to continuously focus our attention on Jesus. He had problems, just like us indeed, many more serious problems.
But he was able to overcome them. How? He overcame everything through his love for the Father and his realization that the Father loved him and was always with him. And so we see Jesus continuously turning to the Father for guidance and help. Sometimes he prayed with tears, begging God to listen to his prayers. It is because of this, his close relationship to the Father in prayer, that Jesus was able to overcome everything.
In the later part of the Gospel, when Jesus says, “Peace be with you,” he is also speaking to us. He is telling us. Yes, you will have problems. Don’t expect life to be different. But you can conquer, as I did. You can conquer by keeping in your heart that conviction that God knows everything you are experiencing and is always eager to help you. Just ask Him for this.
May God’s will be done in your life! And may He be glorified by our acceptance of all that He deigns to give us. In conclusion, remember Divine Mercy was officially established in 2000 by Pope St. John Paul II to be celebrated each year on the Octave Day of Easter, the eight day of Easter. Today we rejoice in the gift of God’s Mercy that Jesus offered to the whole world through his cross and resurrection. Let us thank God for the Mercy and pray for the grace to extend that Mercy to one another.
This Sunday is also Orthodox Easter. On the 11th, we celebrate the memorial of St. Stanislaus. In the Holy Land on the 12th, it is Holocaust Memorial Day. This is now Easter time, our liturgical vestment will be White and Gold and white linen for the altar. This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin. God bless!
Your Priest-Servant and Parochial Administrator,
Fr. Reggie