Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli

T homas, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

Disbelieving the report of the women about the empty tomb, Thomas did not join the other apostles on Easter night. He did not see the Risen Lord. Apart from the community of faith, we close ourselves off from the Lord’s Presence.

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came… 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.”

The Risen Lord Jesus has heard Thomas’ request for physical proof of the Resurrection. His ear is ever attentive even to our half-formed prayers, even when faith is weak and doubt is strong. He offers Thomas the very evidence he demanded. Jesus does not leave us groping amid the shadows of discouragement.

Thomas answered and said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’

Seeing the face of Jesus, hearing his voice, beholding the wounds of the crucifixion dispels all doubt. Immediately, Thomas makes the highest confession of faith in the fourth gospel. Thomas no longer needs to test the truth of the Resurrection by touching Jesus with his hands. His heart has been touched by love and all doubt disappears.

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate truth of all history. It is not simply a fact to affirm, but a reality to live. To those who gather together in his name to share in the Eucharist, the Risen Lord is always present, dispelling the darkness of doubt and disbelief. We believe not simply in a proposition, but in a Person. We believe and entrust our lives to the Crucified and Risen Jesus who accompanies us through this valley of darkness to the eternal joys of heaven.

To all the faithful of the Diocese, I extend Easter greetings of peace and joy of the Risen Lord. And, I invoke God’s blessing on you and your loved ones.