Do you know the mercy and joy of believing in the Risen Lord?
Even after the apostles saw the empty tomb and heard the reports of Jesus’ appearance to the women, they were still weak in faith and fearful of being arrested by the Jewish authorities. When Jesus appeared to them, he offered proof of his resurrection by showing them the wounds of his passion, His pierced hands, and his side. He calmed their fears and brought them peace, the peace that reconciles sinners and makes them friends of God.
While Thomas deeply loved the Lord, he lacked the courage to stand with Jesus in his passion and crucifixion. After Jesus’ death, Thomas made the mistake of withdrawing from the other apostles. He sought isolation rather than fellowship in his time of trial and adversity. As Thomas finally had the courage to rejoin the other apostles, the Lord Jesus made his presence known and reassured Thomas that he had overcome death and risen again.
When Thomas recognized his Master, he believed and exclaimed that Jesus was indeed Lord and truly God!
As Missionary Disciples of Jesus, we need more than just belief; we need faith and courage to live and proclaim the Gospel of mercy in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did something that only love and trust can do. He commissioned his weak and timid apostles to bring the Good News of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The sending out of the disciples parallels the sending out of Jesus by his heavenly Father. Jesus fulfilled his mission through perfect love and obedience to the will of his Father. He called his first disciples and now calls each of us to do the same. Just as Jesus gave his first disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit, he breathed on each of us with the same Holy Spirit, equipping us with new life, power, joy, and courage to live each day as his followers.
Let us be inspired by their example and motivated by the power of the Holy Spirit within us. With trust in God’s Powerful Spirit, we can proclaim that Jesus is our personal Lord and our God. He died and rose so that we, too, might have new life in him. The Lord offers each of us new life in His Holy Spirit so that we may know him personally and walk in this new way of life through the power of his resurrection.
Do you believe the Gospel’s good news and the power of the Flame of Love of the Holy Spirit to bless you with renewed faith , hope, love, mercy, peace and joy?
Love and prayers,
Monsignor Ralph J. Chieffo
National Spiritual Director of the Flame of Love
