Author: Sean Santos

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Mt 6:7-8

Today’s gospel is a quiet reminder that our relationship with God can be simple. There’s no need to over-complicate something that we can understand with a simple truth: God looks at you and He loves you. You who might fail at times. You who might doubt; who might bear resentment. You who may at times be impatient and worrisome. When the world around you becomes complicated and your circumstances slip past your own control, remember His faithfulness. Because He knows what you need before you ask him. He who calls you by a name that only He knows. God who is great sees you as an individual and promises that He will take care of you. So, if the world fails you, and even when you fail yourself, keep your prayer simple. Speak with a childlike simplicity and pray “Abba, father me.”

 

JMJ

“Blessed are those who have not seen but have come to believe.”

These were the words we heard Jesus speak to the Apostle Thomas in the gospel of Divine Mercy Sunday. Now I’ve heard this reading from the gospel of John countless times before, but by God’s grace I was able to hear it with fresh ears this time around. It was a gentle reminder from God to be faithful even in times of desolation – when it is difficult to see God in our lives. How many times do we not see God because we feel isolated or unmotivated in our spiritual journey? How many times do we look up at the Blessed Sacrament during consecration and look only with our eyes and not with our hearts? I’m sure this is exactly how the disciples felt after the death of Jesus. They hid themselves in a room and questioned their purpose. They contemplated returning to the comfort of their homes, their families, and their fishing boats. They wanted to return back to the way they were before. But the Gospel message challenges us to stand firm in belief even during times of despair – even when we don’t have proof of God’s work in our lives. It dares us to not only believe when we see Christ in times of consolation, joy, and comfort, but to believe when we don’t see Him in times of trouble. This is no easy task (as I’m sure you’ve experienced), but it requires us to make a concrete choice to follow. It requires us to reach out to Christ’s side and understand the value of suffering. Therefore, are we ready to believe without seeing? Let’s always contemplate the cross when it becomes difficult to do so. These times of difficulty and desolation will always come and our vision of Christ may be blurred, but because of hope in the risen Lord, we are able in these moments to echo the words of the Apostle: “My Lord and My God”.

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.”

JMJ