GOSPEL

A week later, Jesus came.

From the Gospel according to John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said 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.”

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.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

The Gospel of the Lord

Accept the conditions

The mercy of the Lord is so great that He refrains from reproach Thomas and accepts Thomas’ conditions to believe in Him. Something as intimate and even humiliating as putting his hand into His wounds. The result the Lord obtains from Thomas is a precious confession of faith: My Lord and my God. The result we all obtain is a new beatitude: Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.

Applied to married life

Henry: I’m learning from Jesus’ example as a spouse that, when faced with grievances and doubts from His spouse, He responds with even greater love. To bring out from each situation a possibility for her to convert and grow in mutual love.

Ana: I suppose you’re referring to His response to Thomas’ disbelief in today’s Gospel.

Henry: Yes, I would be upset because he didn’t trust what I had told him so many times, that I was going to rise again, especially when the other disciples already testified that it had happened. I love learning from the Lord how to be a better husband.

Ana: Me too, but we have work ahead of us. Let’s make sure not to repeat Thomas’ mistake and trust in the Holy Spirit’s power within us.

Mother,

With you, we say to the Lord: My Lord and my God. Praise be to Him forever.