Touch His Wounds and Believe
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.” - John 20:27
Have you ever believed that a story is so far-fetched that it couldn’t possibly be true? This is most likely how Thomas felt in today’s Gospel when the others disciples told him that they had seen the Lord. Like Thomas, some of us struggle with believing without seeing.
My wife and I have been struggling with infertility for three and a half years. In the last 16 months we have had three miscarriages, the last of which resulted in a life-threatening situation for my wife. Needless to say, this journey has sometimes led me to relate with Thomas. When I listen with my head and not my heart I can feel far from Jesus. I try to analyze and rationalize the situation on my own and not invite Jesus into it. Jesus never said that we would have easy lives, but he did say that he will be with us always. When I do my best to listen with my heart, I am reminded that Jesus is with me and I am more open to believing without seeing.
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, Jesus’ desire to be with me portrays God’s merciful love. We see Jesus meet Thomas where he is. Jesus does not condemn Thomas for his disbelief, but instead compassionately offers up his wounds because he wants him to believe. Jesus desires a sincere relationship with each of us. When I reflect back on the times when I doubted, I can see where Jesus let me touch his wounds. When I was in deep grief at the loss of my father, Jesus wept with me. When I was worried in the hospital waiting for my wife to come out of emergency surgery, Jesus offered me hope and consolation. When I worry about our infertility journey, Jesus walks with me.
When we choose to open our hearts, even in our most difficult times, we encounter Jesus’ mercy through his desire to be with us.
In this Easter season how has Jesus invited each of us to touch his wounds?
John Guerrero