SEEING AND BELIEVING

HOMILY OF THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER [ DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY]
Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 5: 1-7, John 20:19-31

THEME: SEEING AND BELIEVING
THE WORD: He was disappointed that the man he had wanted to die with finally died. Thomas was never a man of theory. He was a real and crude pragmatic man. He once said, “Let us go that we may die with the teacher” John 11:16. Overtly, he was a brave man, but deep within him, something is missing. Here today, he is seeking to see in his hands the print of the nails, and place his finger in the marks of the nails, and place his hand in his side, before he could believe that he is risen.

Who is better? He who professes the faith without practicing it, or the one who take it up in practical terms? It is better to practice what we preach than to preach what we don’t practice. But the truth remains in the fact that our action or inaction is an offshoot of a spiritual base either of doubt or of faith. If our faith is deep in God, our practice of the faith becomes a constant and continuous exercise. If otherwise, we easily fall by the wayside. Faith in the resurrection power energizes us to face our life challenges without heart break.

Moreover, the mercy of God sustains us where and when our faith can no longer carry us.  Our assurance is never an insurance, but God’s compassion sustains us as he looks deep into depth of our heart. God is not moved by our creed but by our need. For those who are sincere in their longing for God, his loving mercy will always speak for them in their times of need. The author of the letter to the Hebrews says, “let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrew 4:16

However, Thomas left the gathering of the other disciples because his faith was too shallow to contain what happened to Jesus. When the Lord came, he was not there. When we allow our life challenges to quench our spirit, we easily miss the way out of them when the solution comes. How we feel at the moment is a phase which leaves us briskly, but a stable mind shows our authenticity.

Moreover, spontaneity or rapid outburst of sentiments at worship is not mark of deep spirituality. Our faith is tested in the ability to wait on the Lord, to accept situation that we cannot change and in our constant belief in the presence of God.

PRAYER: Lord, whenever I do not believe that you are there, when I doubt your loving presence, kindly give me the assurance that will revive my faith in your continuous presence. Amen.