Doubt Changed to Belief

In today's Gospel, John 20: 24-29, Thomas says to his fellow apostles, who testify to Jesus' resurrection from the dead, that he will not believe, unless he personally encounters the Risen Lord. Thomas does not put on airs. He is honest about his faith at that point.  He has seen Jesus horribly crucified, dead on the cross, as any criminal crucified by the Romans. How could Jesus possibly be anything but dead. His hopes shattered. His belief destroyed, so it seemed, by doubt. "Unless I put my hands into the marks of His hands and side, I will not believe."

Thomas believes on his own merits. He believes after a personal encounter with the Risen Christ.  That, too, is how our faith  grows, namely, by developing a personal relationship with the Lord, by talking to the Lord, by spending time in His presence, by being honest with the Lord, not pretending, by seeking the Lord and sharing our doubts, fears, hurts, concerns, our love and faith, by being involved in what is happening in the world and striving to do good!

In the first reading, Eph. 2: 19-22, St Paul tells us that we are no longer strangers, aliens, or sojourners. We are members of the household of God with all of the saints and angels in heaven; yes, with St. Thomas and all of the apostles.  Just as Thomas and the apostles shared intimately with Jesus, experienced what Jesus went through, so, too, do you and I. We are not strangers to suffering or resurrection, to doubt or faith, to love or a lack of love, anymore that Jesus was! Also, reflect on what it means to you to be a member of the household of God--think of what it means to be a member of your family and then translate that into being part of God's household. What a gift! What a privilege! What an honor! Just as I drop in anytime and am welcome in my family here on earth, am I welcome into God's house, day or night!

Barrenness Transformed into Fruitfulness

In both readings of today's liturgy, Judges 13: 2-7, 24-25a and Lk 1: 5-25, an angel appears to announce that two couple will bear a child: Manoah and his barren wife and Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth, also barren and way beyond child-bearing age.  Both children, Samson and John, will be prepared to play a significant role in salvation history. Samson will deliver the Israelites from the military power of the Philistines. John the Baptist will prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah.  The Spirit of the Lord "stirred" Samson, who was consecrated in the womb. John was "filled with the Holy Spirit even in his mother's womb".

Both the barrenness and the fruitfulness are gifts from the Lord and will reveal God's power at work in those who believe and in those who do not believe.  The wife of Manoah and her husband and Elizabeth believe in the angel's announcement. Zachariah does not. "How am I to know what you are talking about when my wife is barren and unable, at this point in her life, to conceive a child?"  Neither our barrenness nor our lack of faith stop God from accomplishing our salvation or the work He plans to accomplish through us. Without divine intervention, we remain barren.  With divine intervention we bear fruit. All is through the Holy Spirit, either stirring us or filling us!  Blessed be the name of our God!

What in me is barren and in need of being "stirred" up or "filled up"with God's Spirit? What in me, through the Spirit, is bearing fruit?