Tag: doubt

“Which is easier, to say . . .” | Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:1-8)

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

As Jesus encounters a paralyzed man on a stretcher, he sees the faith of those who bring the man to him. The words, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven” trigger some of the scribes, who believe he is blaspheming. Jesus’ response to them makes clear that as the Son of God he heals physical and spiritual illnesses. “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” As the miracle of the man’s healing takes place, Jesus reveals his compassion and divine authority, inviting all of us to have faith in him as the Son of God who came to restore us to the Father.

From the collect for today’s Mass, celebrating our nation’s birth: “Father of all nations and ages, we recall the day when our country claimed its place among the family of nations; for what has been achieved we give you thanks, for the work that still remains we ask your help, and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation, grant that, under your providence, our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“My Lord and my God!” | Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle

From the responsorial psalm: “Praise the LORD, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 20:24-29)

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 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.”

When Jesus first appeared to the disciples, Thomas was not present. Because he didn’t witness Jesus personally, Thomas declares he won’t believe Jesus is risen unless he can see the wounds from the nails and touch Jesus’ side. Thomas holds this conviction for what must have seemed like an eternity. A week later, Jesus appears again to the disciples and offers Thomas the chance to examine his wounds. At this, Thomas makes his great profession of faith. Speaking to all of us who have not witnessed the risen Christ personally and inviting us to broaden and deepen our faith, Jesus then says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Although the doors were locked when Thomas was with the other disciples, Jesus appears to them. In appearing to Thomas and wishing him peace, Jesus meets him where he is in his doubt and fulfills his desire to see and feel the wounds of the risen Christ.

God, strengthen my faith. Jesus is present still through prayer, through the Holy Spirit, in the sacraments of the Church, and in our loving obedience and service to your will. This is the risen Christ, present today. Give me the grace, Lord, to witness this and be a witness of Christ to others. You alone can take the initiative to work with my doubts and grant me the gift of faith. For your name’s sake, Lord, strengthen my faith. Saint Thomas, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Second Sunday of Easter | Sunday of Divine Mercy

From the Gospel acclamation: “You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; Blessed are those who have not seen me, but still believe!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 20:19-31)

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 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.”

As the disciples are behind locked doors, afraid to come out and face persecution, Jesus appears to them. His first words are “Peace be with you.” Immediately afterward, he tells them, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” In his appearance to them and in “many other signs done in the presence of the disciples,” Jesus gives them the strength and courage necessary to proclaim the good news of his resurrection. Why was all of this done in this way? It is God’s mercy that all would know that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.”

God, help me take the example of Thomas in exchanging lack of faith with faith professed: “My Lord and my God!” I find myself to be one behind locked doors, yet you come to me in the Eucharist. “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed,” Jesus says. Give me the grace to depend not on material signs to shore up my faith but on believing without seeing. From the sequence from today’s reading: “Yes, Christ my hope is arisen; to Galilee he goes before you.” Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen. Alleluia.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.