GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John 20:24-29

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 Thomas 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.”

The word of the Lord

 

Believe to see

Today, just as the disciples said to Thomas, we too can joyfully say: “We have seen the Lord!” And there will be many around us who, like him, will respond: “Unless I see, I will not believe.”

Thomas was blinded by despair. The heartbreak of seeing the man to whom he had given his life crucified led him into hopelessness—and with that, he lost his faith. Yes, hopelessness is one of the enemy’s most powerful weapons.

But Thomas, despite his frustration and lack of faith, did not walk away from his community—from the Church. He returned to it, gathering again with his brothers, the Apostles. And then it happened:

Christ, full of Mercy, came to see him. He showed him the truth: that it really was Him, risen from the dead. And Thomas, repentant, recognized Him as his Lord—his God!

Christ also comes to visit us every day. He is with us—and we can see Him in a sunrise, in the touch or the smile of our spouse, in so many small blessings of daily life, and most especially in our Sacrament and in the Eucharist. Just as He came to the Upper Room that day, He comes to us today; or rather, even more—He comes to make us one with Him when we receive Him in Communion. It’s truly amazing! He is always beside us. Even if we do not see Him with our eyes, we can see Him with our hearts. He is always there—we need only to believe to see.

Even on the cross. Trusting that He never leaves us, even when we feel He is far away—in trials or tribulations—He stays by our side. He comes to show us His wounds and say that He suffers for us and with us. He says to us with all His Mercy: “Have faith. Blessed are those who believe without seeing!”

And when we doubt, we must return to the Church, to our community. There we will find Him.

Applied to Married Life:

Laura: Mario, sometimes I struggle to see God in the trial we’re going through. I’m suffering so much, I just don’t feel Him near…

Mario: Laura, what you’re experiencing are temptations from the evil one—trying to make us doubt that God is always with us. But He promised: “I will be with you always, to the end of the world.”

Laura: I know, but sometimes it’s so hard to believe… Help me, my husband, not to lose faith.

Mario: How many times have we heard: “God would not allow evil unless He could bring good out of it”—so let’s trust Him. I’m sure we’ll come out of this trial stronger in faith, humility, and patience. Let’s hope in Him.

Laura: It’s so good to hear you say that. It brings me peace. You’re just the husband I need.

Mario: Trust. But we do need prayer—lots of it. And let’s be present at our catechesis group, really living out the teaching of the month, and attend Adoration with the other couples.

Laura: Yes, prayer in unity is so important. Thank you, my love.

Mario: Thank God. So let’s pray together now—our conjugal prayer—to thank Him for the gifts He gives us, even the cross.

Mother,

Help us to see Christ in every circumstance of our lives, and may we always remain grateful. Praised be the Lord forever.