Like Thomas in today’s Gospel, Lord, we can doubt you and place conditions on our belief.
I will believe you if…
I will trust you when…
We have done nothing to merit your incarnate love and saving grace in the first place. And then we still want more from you. “Prove yourself,” we say as we fold our arms and wait for your performance.
If you were sinful like us, Lord, you would throw your hands up and say, “I’m done with you. I do all that and this is what I get?”
How many time have I spoken these words in my heart, Lord? Toward my children, my spouse, my friends, my coworkers…
But you are not like us in this way, Lord. You are perfect Love.
So you, instead, draw near—draw nearer to our broken hearts.
Peace be with you.
Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.
You disarm with your love, with your tender mercy.
Your spiritual body and sweet words open our wounded hearts.
We no longer fight to barricade ourselves in, but rather, accept your love like a torrent of grace.
We can’t believe it. We can only say, “My Lord and my God!”