Are you a doubting Thomas? Has anyone ever asked you that question? When people perceive us as one having doubts, they may indeed call us a doubting Thomas! I know I was called just that, a doubting Thomas, when 5 years ago the New Orleans Saints were on a path to win the Super Bowl. For so many years I was convinced I would never see that day, so yes, I had doubts, right up to the moment of that incredible interception that sealed the deal!
Is it ok to have doubt? It seems to be a normal human thing to have doubt. But what about people who have faith, believe in God, are confident that Jesus came to save us; should there still be doubt?
As people of faith, why do we doubt?
As we begin to look at today's Gospel, it is so important to recognize where we are on this incredible Sunday. Today we celebrate the Octave Day of Easter, the eighth day. Easter, being the great feast in the life of the Church, is celebrated for eight days. And on this Octave of Easter, the Church gives us the great Feast of Divine Mercy; a gift to the Church from St. John Paul II who had no doubt about the hopeful messages received by St. Faustina from our Lord about Divine Mercy. Today is another reminder of how beautiful it is to be Catholic, how rich our faith!!
On this Sunday we always have this particular Gospel from St. John. It is referred to often as the Gospel of doubting Thomas. Poor Thomas, I believe he gets such a bum rap. On that first Easter night, when Jesus appears to the fearful Apostles, Thomas is not with them. For me, that begs the question, where was Thomas? Scripture implies that none of them dared venture out, or they would end up like Jesus. Yet Thomas is out and about. We know not why but perhaps he was brave enough to be out on behalf of the others locked away in fear. And when he returns, he does indeed express his doubts and demands proof of the Risen Lord. He wants to see the wounds. Remember, that today is Divine Mercy Sunday? When Jesus returns, on the eighth day, the Octave of His Resurrection, with great mercy he invites Thomas to see and believe. He offers with tender mercy for Thomas to touch him, to feel the wounds. Jesus did not berate Thomas, but showed him great love and mercy. And then Thomas responds in a way all of us are called to respond: My Lord and My God! Every Sunday, or any day that we are at Mass, and the sacred Host and sacred Chalice are shown to us, do we have doubts? Or do we respond like Thomas, my Lord and my God?
Those words of Thomas are what I chose to remember; for these are words that speak eloquently of the great love Jesus has for us; that He would die for us, rise from the dead, and feeds us with His precious Body & Blood!
In today's Gospel we cannot ignore how Jesus breathed on the Apostles, and told them they have the power to retain or forgive the sins of others. On this night, as a sign of His Mercy, Jesus gives us the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession is so important to us because it is the means by which God allows us to hear that our sins are forgiven. There are many among us who doubt the need for Sacramental Confession. Why can't I just confess to God without going into a confessional? We should confess our guilt to God often and ask for His Mercy, but it is from the words spoken through the Priest that we hear that our sins are forgiven. That is how God set it up, so have no doubts and believe in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In the week ahead, can we focus on the words of Thomas, my Lord and my God and contemplate how we can profess them as worship of our Savior? Can we pray this week for the grace to rid ourselves of all doubt as it concerns how faith? Perhaps we can examine our own hearts and consciences and ask for His Mercy in the area I need it the most? Maybe it is a sin that I seem trapped in or perhaps it is a doubt, an unbelief about a particular teaching of the Church. Pray to not be unbelieving but believe. And finally, explore more deeply how the sublime messages of Divine Mercy can be a source of spiritual grace and peace for us. If any of us remain somewhat unaware of Divine Mercy, let's make a point to learn more about this great gift of the loving mercy of our Lord more often. Remember the words of Pope Francis, Jesus never tires of our asking for his forgiveness and mercy; sometimes we tire of asking.
Still have doubts? It's ok! But have no doubt that Jesus indeed is our Lord and our God! And have no doubt of His Divine Mercy!
Happy Easter!
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