Today’s Gospel teaches us that although signs and wonders done by good and holy people may wonderfully inspire us, “believing without seeing” might actually lead to a stronger kind of faith; this type of faith would involve a trust based more on the Spirit’s movement within our hearts than on any type of concrete “proof” (see John 20:19-31). It seems to me that such faith would require a kind of unworldly and simple confidence in the great message of our salvation–a message we can both deliver and receive!
Some of those who had lived and walked with Jesus during the time of his public ministry did not initially accept the news about the Resurrection. The Gospel tells us that the Apostle Thomas refused to believe unless he could see Jesus for himself and touch his wounds. He wanted physical proof before he would believe, and he simply was not satisfied with what others had testified about the Risen Jesus (see John 20:25). The case of Thomas may be similar to our own: he believed only what he could see and touch.
Isn’t it true that sometimes we may behave and doubt like Thomas because our faith isn’t always comfortable, nor is it an easy thing to have? At times, we may desire something concrete and demonstrable in order to believe the faith testimonies of others. Like Thomas, we might seek some kind of proof of the presence and/or the action of Jesus in our lives, but today’s Gospel challenges us to take a different approach. The Gospel clearly teaches us that we may not always have the satisfaction of concrete “proof” concerning the matters of our faith.
I believe the message for us today is that faith, like love, demands letting go of our need to control; it involves a poverty of spirit, and a trusting acceptance of God’s ways. This is to say that a deep faith does not always ask for proof, and that it is based upon trust. Jesus told Thomas: “Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed” (see John 20:29). Can we say that we are people of faith who believe without seeing? Or do we only respond to the goodness of our faith when we see people doing great and marvelous things?
In this Easter season, we proclaim our faith in the Resurrection of Jesus. We do this without the benefit of experiencing his actual physical presence, and we know that the reality of the Resurrection is not something we can “touch.” Today’s Gospel challenges us to continue on with the eyes of faith–one that involves a profound trust, and one that does not need material proof of God’s presence and action in our lives.
Let us rejoice when our faith leads people to action and to good works; more importantly, let us always maintain our faith, even when it might otherwise be easier for us to be overcome with doubts. My friends, with great faith let us enthusiastically continue to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus!
Christ is Risen, Truly, He is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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