BEARING WITNESS TO THE RISEN CHRIST ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Daily Reflections

Monday, 3^rd July 2017.

Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle of India (Solemnity in India)

Readings of Feast

Eph 2: 19-22;

Ps 116: 1-2;

Jn 20: 24-29.

Readings for Solemnity

Acts 10: 24-35;

Ps 41: 2-5;

Heb 1: 2-3 or 1Pet 1: 3-9;

Jn 20: 24-29

BEARING WITNESS TO THE RISEN CHRIST!

Today we celebrate the feast of St Thomas, the Apostle of India. Thomas is more popular for the genuine question he raised, and we can take comfort in the first words Jesus says to doubting Thomas: “Peace be with you.” Jesus doesn’t scold him or get angry but offers him peace. Jesus, who knows us in our humanity and understands us so intimately, offers us peace in the midst of my doubts and fears. When Thomas gives expression to his requirement to come to that state of faith or belief he is requesting nothing more than what every other disciple had already received. Thomas is simply saying that he too must have a chance to witness for himself - as each of them had - before he will be able to believe such an astounding claim. But the event does not stop here, for John or the Risen Lord himself. He continues and says “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” For us, this factor is most important in this passage. Since we have not seen, how can we believe? Thomas could not believe until he had seen. Peter could not believe until he had seen. Mary Magdalene could not believe until she had seen. How can we believe when we have not seen? It is only possible, because we have been blessed, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Therefore we must have to admit that our faith is not of our own effort and the invention of the religion we practice but is a sheer ‘gift from God’. The good and generous Father has given us something to make our belief in the risen Jesus possible – even when we have never seen the risen Jesus in our physical eyes.

Prayer: Lord, strengthen my faith like Thomas who cried, “My Lord and my God”. Jesus I Trust in You. Amen.