Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Thomas said to them: 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. A week later Jesus came, stood in their midst, and said to Thomas: put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe. Thomas answered: my Lord and my God.

Thomas is the most honest man in the Gospels. The other disciples told him they had seen the Lord, and Thomas refused to take their word for it. He did not pretend to believe what he had not experienced. He did not go along with the group because the group was excited. He said what he actually needed: unless I see the wounds and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. That is not weakness. That is a man who refuses to fake a faith he does not have.

Brother, Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for the demand. He came back a week later, walked through the locked door, and gave Thomas exactly what he asked for. Put your finger here. See my hands. The mercy of God meets honest doubt with evidence, not condemnation. If your faith has grown stale, if you have been going through the motions without encountering the person behind them, Thomas gives you permission to say so. Tell the Lord what you actually need. He will come back through the locked door. He always does.

Peter writes that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold tested by fire, will prove to be for praise and glory and honor. The testing is not a sign that God has abandoned you. It is the fire that proves the gold is real. The man whose faith has never been tested does not know whether he has faith or habit. The man whose faith has survived the fire knows.

Go to Confession today if you have not been recently. Divine Mercy Sunday carries a plenary indulgence for those who receive Communion and go to Confession. But beyond the indulgence, go because Thomas teaches you something: honest encounter with Christ's wounds changes everything. Walk into the confessional the way Thomas walked into the upper room - with your doubt, your sin, your need - and let the Lord meet you there.

Lord, I am Thomas. I have doubts I have not spoken and needs I have not named. Come back through my locked door today. Show me the wounds. Let me touch them. My Lord and my God. Have mercy on me. Alleluia. Amen.