In many ways, the doubts of the Apostle Thomas reflect the questions that surface in the hearts of young adults today. Through truth, beauty and goodness we provide opportunities that help them see something bigger than themselves…leading to an encounter with God.
1st Reading – Zechariah offers a prophecy about Jesus
Psalm – “I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.”
2nd Reading – Paul teaches that the Spirit of Christ dwells in us
Gospel – Christ offers rest to all who labor and are burdened
When you think of all the ways that God could choose to be revealed to humanity, perhaps nothing seems at first more shocking than the tender humility that the Messiah reveals. God does not overwhelm our senses with awesome power; rather, God gets under our radar and lovingly touches our hearts without force or pretense.
Jesus Christ comes into our world:
Meek and riding a donkey (not a stallion at the head of an angelic army)
Bringing comfort and healing (as opposed to a war cry and battle plan)
Offering his Spirit so that we might be transformed into newness of life
No wonder the Psalmist could offer praises to God! The Lord is approachable, gentle, accessible and understanding. Jesus Christ meets us in our most wounded and vulnerable places, for through his Cross he has experienced the full range of human pain…and redeemed it.
So come to the Lord. Embrace the one who meets us where we are and longs to heal our pain. May we let go of our worries and fears; may we let the Lord take us by the hand and lead us into newness of life.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul – two of the great heavy-hitters in Heaven – remind us that the Lord continues to call imperfect people every day to offer their lives for the glory of God.
St. Paul’s letter to the Romans teaches that we die to sin and rise with Christ, and as we place our hope in the Lord we have a strength to confront the darkness and evil that we uncover lurking in our hearts.
Jesus teaches his disciples that when we build our lives upon His words we find strength and support to face the storms of life. Let the construction commence!