13th Week Ordy Time MT: 24-29
SAM 6:30AM
SAM = St Augustine Monastery, Nova Scotia, Canada
TODAY WE CELEBRATE the Feast of ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE...known & remembered for his DOUBTING.....that Christ had truly Risen from the dead. We can reflect upon....what took place between St Thomas & his Risen Lord........and what is happening today in our modern world.
IT IS PROBABLY IMPOSSIBLE....to count the number of times.......we have doubted somebody’s word. Today we do NOT say...”I’ll never believe it.”...as St Thomas said. No...nowadays we say...“You’ve got to be kidding.”..or”...give me a break.” The feeling of DOUBT is part of Humanity.
IT IS POSSIBLE that.....Thomas was being more than just doubtful. Maybe he was also being OBSTINATE, but really we do not know this. Remember how many times Our Lord said that the Scribes & Pharisees were “hard of heart & stiffed-necked.” They REFUSED to believe ANYTHING of Christ. They were too stubborn to even accept His Grace.....lest it says...as in the BOOK OF ISAIAH IS 6:9-10 ...”lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I heal therm.”
MAYBE THOMAS felt LEFT OUT...& he wanted to overcome his feelings of being Hurt....because he was not present to SEE Our Lord with all the other Apostles. It doesn’t take much for people to feel left out....& to feel hurt whenever they are not able to share with others...& to be part of an important event.....when it actually happens. So...WHAT DOES THOMAS DO? HE PUTS HIMSELF FIRST....& tells all the others what MUST happen...& what Christ MUST.....& what God MUST do...before he will believe. For Thomas GOD MUST do what Thomas wants. There are people whose Prayer tells God...not only the WHAT.....but also the WHEN!
ALL OF US SHOULD....place ourselves....into the Hands of Our Lord.....with more DOCILITY...more WILLINGNESS....so that Christ will be able to act IN us with His GRACE & SRENGTH....When, Where & How...He so desires.
WHEN THOMAS does see Our Lord...His words....”My Lord & My God”......are a beautiful Act of Faith. We should pray.....that our own FAITH becomes just as pleasing to Our Lord! It will be IF...we put ourselves more completely into the Hands of Our Lord......& become more filled with....TRUST & BELIEF in the Power & Mercy of Christ..& His willingness to FORGIVE...remembering His words to Thomas...”Blessed are they who have NOT seen....& have believed.”
NOT ALL THINGS in our relationship with Christ are easily seen in black or white. We Catholics are asked to BELIEVE & to ACCEPT many things through our Faith alone. Faith is a VIRTUE. It is a Gift of God. We do NOT merit Faith, nor do we Earn Faith. Hence, we shoul....CHERISH & NOURISH our Faith...through the Sacraments, Mass & Prayer,
We believe many things we do NOT.....See, Understand or Experience completely through natural Faith as in...Medicine, Outer Space, Electricity, Signs, Buses, Planes, Trains etc. There is no Contradiction here between FAITH & REALITY.
LET ALL MANKIND RECEIVE, BELIEVE & ACCEPT FULLY THE RISEN CHRIST...
JUST BECAUSE HESAID SO....& DO SO IN FAITH & LOVE FOR HIS TRUTH.