Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)
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Today's Word
Acts 2:42-47; Jn 20:19-31 - The early Church shared everything. Thomas doubted. Jesus came back for him anyway. Divine Mercy Sunday. Full readings at USCCB
Real Talk
Thomas gets a bad reputation. People call him "Doubting Thomas" like it is an insult. But here is what actually happened: the other disciples told him they had seen the Risen Jesus, and Thomas said he would not believe it unless he could see for himself. He was not being difficult. He was being honest. He refused to pretend to believe something he had not experienced, and that takes more courage than going along with the crowd.
And here is the thing that matters: Jesus did not cut Thomas off for doubting. He came back a week later, walked through a locked door, and said: here are the wounds. Touch them. Believe. Jesus does not punish honest doubt. He meets it. If you have doubts about the faith - real ones, not just laziness but actual questions that bother you - that is not a disqualification. That is Thomas territory, and Jesus shows up in Thomas territory. The question is whether you are honest enough to say what you actually need, or whether you just pretend and drift.
One Prayer
Jesus, I have doubts I have not told anyone about. I am being honest about that right now. Come back through my locked door the way you came back for Thomas. Show me. I am willing to believe if you are willing to show up. Amen.
Your Challenge
Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. The core message is that God's mercy is bigger than anything you have done. If you have been avoiding Confession because you are embarrassed, go today. Seriously. The priest has heard worse. And if Confession is not possible today, say the Divine Mercy prayer once, slowly: for the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. That includes you.
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