The Word God Spells

John 20: 24-29
Eph 2:19-22 / Ps 117:1,2

These are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in His name.
(John 20:31)

Like St.Thomas we often doubt
Till God takes the initiative.
But we are more blessed, we found out:
When only with His Name, we believe.

One of the apostles, Thomas, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus visited them on the evening of the first day after He had risen from the dead. Apprised by this good news, Thomas chose to doubt their words. “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” (Jn.20:25). A week later, the apostles were again gathered behind locked doors, this time with Thomas present. Jesus appeared in their midst, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He addressed Thomas: “Put your finger here and see my hands, (20:27) and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas could only blurt out, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him,”Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (20:29).

Reflection

One has to be a “doubting Thomas” if he or she will not affirm that Jesus Christ is his Lord and God. He needs to be a witness to the miracles and mercy of our Lord before he can become a true believer. Our God knows this human frailty only too well, and accordingly provides a constant dose of wondrous revelations of His power and great love in order for us to sustain our faith.

God is most pleased with a ready believer who puts his trust in His Name completely. Daily we read His Word in the Holy Book, and steadily we grow in faith, and discover the power of His Name. When the late Rev. Fr. Paul Finster, S.J., our BCBP chaplain, posed the question, “If you only had one word to utter before your death, what would it be?” My spontaneous shout from the back of the room was “JESUS!” I was surprised by my outburst, and later found out that there were many, like my own wife Ollie herself, who also had the right word, but were too timid to shout and proclaim it. Our faith is not something that must remain personal or private. Didn’t Jesus Himself say, “Whoever acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before My heavenly Father”? (Mt. 10:32) It is by asserting our faith in our Savior that we can disperse all the shadows of doubts and fears in our life. Long have I believed that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and our Savior, and so it was easy enough to shout out the Name above all names — for it has given me new life. My faith, indeed, “has given me new life in His Name.”

Lord Jesus, let Your Holy Name be always in my lips, in my mind, and in my heart. Amen.