“Doubting Thomas”! Expressions from the Bible work their way into everyday use—often in very powerful ways, because they point to basic human truths. How often have we encountered someone so stubborn, so hardheaded that he wouldn’t believe unless he could see it with his own eyes? Perhaps YOU have been like that. I know that I have! But what does it really mean to be a doubting Thomas? On this 2nd Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, our Gospel message helps us to understand what we miss when we do not TRUST IN GOD.
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands”, Thomas demands, “and put my finger into the nail marks.. AND put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” I will not believe. This is so familiar, so human. And that’s why we identify with Thomas’ demand when we hear it: we know what it is to doubt; we know how difficult it is to believe AND to trust!
In 2000 our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, proclaimed to the world, that “from now on throughout the Church this Sunday will be called Divine Mercy Sunday”. The occasion was the Mass for the canonization of Sister Faustina Kowalska, known as the “Apostle of Divine Mercy”. Her deep interior faith revealed to her and ultimately the world, the limitless mercy of Jesus. Why is that so important to us?
[Continued in Ministry...]
Filed under: Homiletics, Ministry, Reflections, Religion | Tagged: divine mercy, doubting thomas, faith, holy father, second sunday of easter, St. Faustina, trust
