Read and rest in the heart of God John 20. What is God sharing to your heart?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20&version=NRSVCE
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” John 20:25
Thomas gets a rough rap – “Doubting Thomas”. How many of us never doubt or fear? We stand before death’s door fearful of what lies beyond or looking back at our sin wondering if God could actual forgive that. We look at events and wish Jesus were present and we could see Him. We go through a storm of life, looking back thinking where was God? In the test we wonder why God is silent. We declare in our heart if not voice, ““Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
Two points come to me in this reflection.
First, Jesus is always present and with us. I know this without doubt in my heart and mind. He is right beside us in silence or just simple presence. Read my book, ‘I knew His Voice” – one of the biggest messages I desired to share in this publication and sharing is that God IS present in all times and especially the difficult ones.
Second, seeing Jesus present or hearing His voice doesn’t guarantee belief. Jesus appeared to my daughter – she lacks faith despite these miraculous events. I heard the Father tell me to trust, and Jesus telling me to trust in Him. Yet, when it hit the fan, I was Thomas – I found myself doubting. Scared and fearful in the moment. I lost sight of God’s presence and message.
“In times of doubt; that is, when the soul is weak, let it ask Jesus himself to act. Although it knows that it should act by the grace of God, nevertheless, at certain times, it is better for it to leave all action to God.” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 1179
Even if God grants you great grace of His voice or seeing Him in person, if you don’t grab on and hold to faith, it won’t matter when the moment is passed. If you have strong faith, seeing, hearing won’t matter nor be necessary.
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” John 20:29
If you’ve encountered Jesus in some way in your life, be it Bible, or Mass or Eucharist or prayer – know He is still and always there at your side. Don’t fear or worry, just believe, just have faith.
Declare with Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” (V. 28) – no matter what the circumstances or feeling of God’s presence.