Shedding a Little Light - happy easter!

“Unless I see………I will not believe” John 20: 25

We often focus on the “unbelief” of those around us and in the Gospel stories. Today, I want to focus on those that do believe and believe everything they are told. Some believe everything they read on the internet as truth. When someone posts on our Facebook page about some incident, we repost without checking its validity. We assume our friend has checked this before they posted and so this must be true. Most of us don’t fact check before we repost something and we become angry or embarrassed at those who do and show us to be wrong. We keep propagating half-truths and lies without realizing it or checking the sources.

Perhaps someone tells us something that happened to someone else or repeats a story they heard from someone else, and then we tell others who tell others. We never check to see if it is really so. In this way, we end up spreading gossip about others without necessarily intending to do so.

Thomas gets a “bad rap” for questioning the other disciple’s story of encountering Jesus in today’s gospel. He says he wants it from the source.  Thomas comes to his faith and belief in time and his heart is all in when he understands the truth. Erring on the side of caution and checking on details is not a fault. Thomas is a good and faithful disciple and just because it takes a little longer, does not negate his belief. 

We too should put our whole hearts in when we understand the truth and not be ashamed to check our sources of information no matter how reliable they are thought to be. Belief doesn’t have to be instant, and we can “come to believe” as Jesus puts it in today’s reading. It can be a process for some, while for others, understanding and discernment are more quickly attained. 

As we ponder our belief and unbelief this week, let us look to Jesus and His Divine Mercy to heal any missteps or words misspoken asking for forgiveness for any part we have played in spreading gossip or falsehoods. Meditate and pray on the wounds of Christ. We will all receive mercy if we are truly sorrowful. Then, we practice that mercy and spend it on those who have spread gossip or falsehoods that have hurt us. Forgiving will release us and the truth shall set us free!

The mission then continues by doing works of mercy: Feed the hungry by adding an item of food to your grocery list and dropping it off at the food pantry each week; Clothe the naked by donating some clothes to a local charity; Visit the sick; Shelter the homeless – donate to a pads shelter or try and sponsor a refugee family if you have the means. Become a Peru family to Family Sponsor.

There are so many ways to carry out the mission of Christ. Let your example show your faith.  Let the Divine Mercy of Christ shine through you and…

Keep Living in the Light

Bernie