Page 16 - Faith Connections Issue 2 (4)

ISSUE 2 JULY 2021

MY LORD AND MY GOD: A RESPONSE TO MERCY

By Lindsae Valiplackal, Youth, 2nd Grade Teacher

St. Thomas, I believe, is an apostle that
truly experienced God’s mercy. Just take a
look at the events surrounding Jesus’
resurrection and St. Thomas. Here we have
St. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples,
chosen by Jesus to continue his ministry
and proclaim the Gospel to all the ends of
the Earth. St. Thomas had witnessed Jesus
cure lepers, multiply loaves of bread, and
raise the dead. Yet, he still doubted that
Jesus appeared to the disciples. I do not
believe that it is a coincidence that Thomas
doubted Jesus’ appearance among the other
disciples, but instead, all part of the
Heavenly Father’s redeeming plan for
Thomas. During difficulties and trials, we

often think that Jesus has abandoned us. Having lost all hope, St. Thomas may have
isolated himself from the other disciples or from his community. We may do the same,
and we might think “Why God, why me?” Jesus could have easily not appeared to
Thomas. Jesus knew that Thomas had seen Him perform miracles, teach prayers, and
be merciful to those who most needed His mercy. Still, Jesus appears again and
personally invites Thomas to feel the nail marks on His hands and feel His pierced side.
How many times has Jesus invited us to know Him more personally? To love Him more
deeply? To be patient, loving, merciful to those who annoy or irritate us?

Let’s take a page from St. Thomas as he utters those fateful words, changing the
course of history and proclaiming the Gospel to India, “My Lord and my God.” These
words are of deep conviction and are a personal proclamation of who Christ is to
Thomas. Christ is his. Christ is mine. Christ is yours. Christ is theirs for all those who
search for Him. Let’s not lose the opportunity to proclaim that Christ is ours. For
“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).

Mother Mary, pray for us
St. Joseph, pray for us
St. Thomas, pray for us

PAGE 16 FAITH IN OUR COUNTRY EDITION | ISSUE 2