Today in the church we celebrate the Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle. You know him, the “doubting Thomas”. He would not believe his fellow Apostles that they had seen the risen Lord when Thomas was absent and not in their company. He boldly proclaims to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
I am pretty sure that in my life, God reveals himself to me through many people and occurrences. Do I always believe what others tell me? No and I do not think I should unless I discern properly with guidance from the Holy Spirit whether this is from Him or not. I would not expect anyone to believe the reflections I write each day without prayer to see if God might be speaking through my writing. The father of lies, Satan has a way of manipulating truth and without proper prayer and discernment, we could fall into a trap.
In the case of Thomas, seeing is believing rather than believing is seeing. Jesus even makes that point clear after He tells Thomas to go ahead and “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.” Can you imagine the feelings that must have been going on in Thomas?” Thomas did answer Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Then, the very profound words of Jesus for all of us today, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
For me during Mass, when the priest elevates the Sacred Host and says “This is My Body which will be given up for you”, I silently respond, “My Lord and my God. I believe, help my unbelief.” In a sense, I am reminded of Thomas and have hope that all doubt will be taken away from me. Oh dear Jesus, increase our faith so that we will believe and see. Amen.
Seeking To Reflect Jesus 