My dear parishioners and visitors,
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” (Jn. 20:29).
It is my wish and prayer that all of you had a good blessed Easter-celebration and now you are so invigorated to be faithful witnesses for our risen Lord and Savior as Mary Magdalene did (John 20:1-9).
St. John, in today’s gospel reading, first tells us Jesus instituted the sacrament of Reconciliation by giving the Apostles and their successors the power to forgive sins in His name (Jn. 20:19-23), then the doubting Thomas (John 20: 24-29), and finally his intention of writing the gospel (Jn. 20: 30-31).
Each of us, like Thomas, will have a doubtful moment. It is so important to remember what Jesus said to Thomas “blessed are those who have not seen yet have come to believe” (Jn. 20: 29) whenever we are having our own moment of doubt, also always take this doubt to our risen Lord Jesus in prayer, to the Church, Our Mother, and to our friends, the faithful members of the Church, and allow “THEM” to help, to guide and to give us the answer. Faith and trust is our way of life, not doubt.
Today Jesus is teaching and urging us to believe and to trust in Him always and then through that faith and trust we will have life in his name. (Jn. 20: 31).
Have a blessed week. Fr. Peter Hoan Nguyen.