Too often, the mantra we hear and sometimes say is: Seeing is believing! In other words we need some physical proof as the Apostle Thomas in St. St. John’s Gospel today when he said: “Unless I see…I will not believe” in reference to Jesus being alive after His death. What makes these words even harder to accept is that they are spoken by a believer who for three years lived with Jesus hearing His words and watching people being healed from all sorts of incurable ailments. Is Thomas really a doubter, or is he a man of faith because if what he was told is true, why aren’t the other Apostles jumping for joy rather than still hiding behind locked doors?
And, yet, as baptized Catholics who espouse belief in Jesus as the only begotten Son, don’t we also question at times as sinners? This is especially so when we are angry with God about not receiving something we believe we deserve. Our excuse is that we have obeyed God’s will and did what He asked. There should be no reason for not being rewarded.
So, Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and being raised from the death is not enough proof of His and His Father’s love for His creation? Maybe we are giving Satan a bum rap for all the things we enjoy when we patronize him rather than when obedient to God’s will? An eternal life of happiness seems so far from being real especially when filled with multiple sacrifices we must suffer along the journey. “Oh Ye of Little Faith”! (Mt. 8:26).
Our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, written by St. Luke, tells us about a community of believers of one heart and mind who bore witness of the Resurrection of Jesus the Christ and share all things in common because of their strong faith. Likewise, St. Peter in his first letter writes about those who believe is connected with God through their belief even though they have not seen Jesus in the flesh.
It is the Gospel; however, that explains the importance of our faith. Just as Jesus left the Apostles with three missions to follow that will change the world, this feast day of Divine Mercy Sunday focuses on the Risen Christ’s light as a radiant beam of merciful love and grace for the whole world. In other words, what we need in our faith to be a true believer.
The sign of Peace Jesus gives to the Apostles is the gift of the Holy Spirit who comes from God the Father to teach them everything, reminding them of what Jesus said. He then breathes on them and gives them the power to forgive one another and to love and build the Church.
Next, Thomas sees and believes and confirms it with: “My Lord and my God.” We don’t know if he placed his fingers in the spike holes or his hands into Jesus’ side. What we do know is that he recognized Jesus as God and was a man of faith and courage for the rest of his life on earth and is now in heaven.
Finally, it comes to us when John writes “many other signs have not been recorded here.” “But these (the ones noted in St. John’s Gospel) have been recorded to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through this faith you may have life in His name.”
Faith is the eyesight we need that gives us hope to trust and love God above all and to love all He created as Jesus loves us. It is more a spiritual eyesight than physical. But when we use it, we can see farther and better than our natural eyes with or without enhancements. God gives us a vision through the gifts of the Holy Spirit that gives us the power to conquer the sinfulness of this world.
Let us move forward with God’s light to see all He has done for us and what we need to do for all those He has entrusted to us through His Son, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Let us openly with God’s power practice our faith for the salvation of all humanity.
Reading 1: Acts 2: 42-47
Reading 2: First Peter 1: 3-9
Gospel: John 20: 19-31
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