WEEK TWENTY: APPEARANCES OF THE RISEN LORD - DAY 4
MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on John 20: 27-29: The Doubting Thomas "Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." [Please read John 20: 24-29 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection; ask for the grace to be glad and rejoice intensely because of the great joy and the glory of Christ our Lord.
Probably the most significant story of disillusionment and hopelessness is that of Doubting Thomas. Thomas was not willing to believe the eyewitness accounts of his colleagues with whom he had spent three years of intense formation in discipleship with Jesus. He did not witness the Risen Lord as the others did because he chose to absent himself from their company when Jesus appeared to them. His response to his colleagues was both stubborn and disbelieving: "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail-marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." (verse 25) A week later, Jesus appeared to the group. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus invited Thomas to do what he said he needed to do in order to believe, namely, to probe the nail prints and marks with his hand. Instead Thomas exclaimed in astonished belief: "My Lord and my God!" Jesus then gave Thomas some salutary advice which we need to take to heart: "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."
Thomas gave voice to his unbelief, his friends have spoken truth to him but he is hard of heart. What areas in your own life does unbelief have a hold off? I was struck by Jesus not being present when Thomas denied his friends and clearly stated what it would take for him to believe. Upon Jesus entering the room next time, Jesus answered Thomas's prayer/request. Who told Jesus exactly what Thomas said? No one! He is the head and we are the body, He knows every hair on your head, do you think He doesn't know your heart. I have journeyed with Didymus and watched as his unbelief has turned into belief and understanding. How he as well, like St Thomas is evangelizing the unbelieving. God knows your heart, hiding it will not make it go away, trust and believe in the Risen Lord. Happy Easter Thomas.
What is God saying to you? Do you see the greatness of the word, even though I Am in plain sight you still have to look beyond the eyes where I can be revealed. It is not hidden for those who seek to know truth, Thomas gave voice to his unbelief and I responded. Go in peace today with Love in your heart.
Dear Father, we are all connected through the body of Christ, seeking to know you more and more each day. In my unbelief shed light into the truth You give us in Your Holy Word. I thank You for a blessed weekend to enjoy the gift of life and the great outdoors. I pray for the healing of the unbelieving, increase their faith and cast out the demons that plague them. The body needs to grow stronger and You are our strength. Thank You Father for the blessing of this day and all it has to offer, May we praise You in actions, Amen.
Mary, Queen of Victory, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Most Prudent, Pray for us.
St Thomas, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey.
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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