It is an unfortunate reality that the outside world often views us through the lens of our worst mistake or our darkest moment. But Pope St. John Paul II, in his visit to his native land of Poland, told his people in no uncertain terms that “We are not
the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son Jesus.” So when we reflect on the story of Thomas and his doubts this weekend, it is because God wants to bring about transformation in our hearts, not because we want to keep coming back to one man’s momentary weakness. “Doubting Thomas” might be more charitably (and accurately) called “Thomas who needed a little extra push, but
ultimately believed in the end.” It’s wordier but captures the fuller picture.
 
With that in mind, maybe this Divine Mercy Sunday is the perfect opportunity to reflect on that same reality in our own lives. Where have we made mistakes, and how would we feel if people were to define us by them? I would be mortified to be known today only by the selfishness I’ve shown at different points of my life. Shame, and the evil one, tell us that this is who we really are. Sure, maybe we’ve done a good job faking being a good person for a little while, but deep down, you’ll always be the person who made that terrible mistake or was so careless about other people. That is not the story of Thomas’ relationship with Jesus,
nor is it the story of who we are in Christ.

Pope Paul VI once said that “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Our pride tells us that we are only witnesses if we lead perfect lives and never make mistakes. But the story of the Apostles immediately following the Resurrection shows that they were perfect witnesses but certainly made their missteps. Thomas doubted. Peter denied. All of them but John scattered. But when they come to believe in Jesus’ Resurrection and are filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they are sent out into the world to proclaim the Gospel. Not as perfect men who have never failed, but as people who have failed, been forgiven, and are strong in their weakness. That made them imitators of Christ, and the same can happen in our lives today.
 
This Easter Season, I invite you to reflect on the things in your life that are (or were) imperfect, and invite Jesus into them. Receive His healing, not only for your own sake, but so that others might see the difference it makes to be in a
relationship with the Risen Lord, and place themselves fully in His hands as well.
 
Prayers always,
Fr. McC