In today’s gospel, Jesus doesn’t meet Thomas with judgment but with an invitation. Come, “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) I can picture Christ lovingly, saying these words to Thomas in the same way that he speaks to us during our moments of doubt. There is never any harshness in His voice, never impatience, or frustration. Christ loves us where we are at and he invites us to come closer to see all that he has to offer. He beckons us to come as we are. Jesus understands our fears and doubts and wants to cover them with his love.
The apostles were in fear behind locked door and “Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” (John 20:19) Christ himself is peace. During our times of fear he stands in our midst, allowing his very self, the peace of Christ, to fill our hearts so that even in our darkest moments there is hope. Locked doors or any other barriers we may put up in order to alleviate some of our fear have no impact on Christ’s ability to be in our presence. What can separate us from the love of Christ? “Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?” (Romans 8:35) Will we allow our doubt, our fears, our shame, our regrets, our unbelief keep us from the love of Christ? My Lord and Savior, have mercy on me! Help my unbelief!!!
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
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