Thanks, Thomas!

Thomas … thanks!   For bringing honesty into our faith.

He didn’t pretend that he was better than he was. He began by wanting proof and ended by being glad of faith. He is the patron saint of transitions and steps in faith. Faith is a journey. He is the saint of faith in our times. The community was the place he found faith, having lost it when he tried to go it alone. Then he came back to the community of faith and went on a journey of life that took him to martyrdom in India.

He also found Christ in wanting to touch his wounds. We find God when we enter into his wounds in the wounds of our world.

In the faith community of the church we can keep our faith. Our faith grows here too. Thomas looked for faith by wanting to touch the wounds of Jesus. When Jesus invited him to do so, he found he didn’t need to. He found faith in being present with the wounded Christ and discovered there his faith in the glory of Christ.     We can do the same. What was said to Thomas is said to us all: ‘You believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.’

Recall those who have strengthened your faith and be grateful;

picture each person and pray for each of them.

Lord, I believe, strengthen my belief.

Donal Neary SJ

Alleluia – for singing, not for humming!

The reason for the joy of Easter is that Christ is risen – the women who came to the tomb found their joy in this. They may have found joy also in a beautiful dawn in the garden, or in their friendships, but the joy of Easter is a joy of faith, which nothing need take away.

The joy of the resurrection is a joy in giving the life we have received from God: ‘Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort. Indeed, those who enjoy life most are those who leave security on the shore and become excited by the mission of communicating life to others’ (Pope Francis).

The Alleluia is for singing, not for humming; it is to be heard from the voice of the heart, and should lift the hearts of those who hear: ‘Jesus Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!’

We often see great joy in the middle of huge poverty: often the poor can live for the present moment and enjoy it to the full. Sometimes in the middle of illness we find a peace we don’t know from where it comes. The grace of the risen Jesus can touch our lives at any time. Let’s not be like Christians ‘whose lives seem like Lent without Easter’ (Pope Francis). Having lived through the joyful season of Lent, our hearts are wholly lifted now in joy received and joy given.

Breathe in and out: on the inbreath echo the word ‘joy’;

on the outbreath echo the word ‘thanks’.

Risen Christ, raise our lives in joy.

Donal Neary SJ

He has endured the cross

Our gospel today is long; it is the first of two readings of the passion and death of Jesus; we hear many sayings and notice events that are familiar to us and to all Christians. Maybe during this week we could take time to reread the gospel account, and watch what happens, going a bit behind the externals:-  

We see Jesus being mocked, tortured, hurt, ridiculed, beaten and killed.  We notice his fear in the garden of his agony, and also his willingness to go to the end for what he believes in and sees as his mission in life.  We see him being treated unjustly, and a notorious thief being chosen over him for release.  We see him on the cross, when he seems to feel neglected by his Father.  

We notice also the help he received – the silent sympathy and love of his mother, Simon’s help carrying the cross, the sympathy of the ‘daughters of Jerusalem’, and even the faith of the Roman who said he was a good man, a ‘son of God’. We wonder about how he felt with the mockery and with the help he received.

We can identify with much of his suffering, in our own lives and the lives of people close to us. He is the one who “has endured the cross and despised its shame” (Hebrews).

We can often take comfort and consolation from the fact that he identifies with the suffering of the human race, and that his resurrection is the basis of our faith, hope and love.

Look at or imagine a crucifix, and pray as you feel drawn.

Lord, by your cross and resurrection,

you have set us free;

you are the Saviour of the world.

Donal Neary SJ