July 3, 2008, Thursday

Read: Eph 2:19-22 Jn 20:24-29

"‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’" (Jn. 20:25)

It is inconceivable that God should "check" with us exactly what kind of manifestation we would accept to prove the truth of the resurrection.

God began an intimate relationship of love with us because He wanted to, not because we had any right to His love. His divine friendship to us is a gift (we call it GRACE). He Himself set up the conditions by which we could enter into and enjoy His love, His friendship... His Grace.

The condition is FAITH.

Faith is a two fold process. One part belongs to God... and the other to us. On God’s part, it is information: revelation. On our part it is the acceptance of that information: belief.

St. Thomas received information from his companions that had seen the Lord. Yet Thomas placed as a condition on belief the reception of further information. He wanted to reduce the value of his faith to the same value as his and his friend’s knowledge. Knowledge and faith are very distinct things... and faith is worth much more in the eyes of Jesus. Yet that information about Jesus’ resurrection came through others.

We too receive information about God through others... especially via His Church -- His voice guide in the world.

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you... I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Mt. 28:19-20)

Psalm 19:10-11 "The statutes of the LORD are true, all of them just; more desirable than gold."