April 2009

As Jesus joins the larger group of the disciples, He again shares a meal. But before He shares the meal, Jesus calls his disciples’ attention to the detail of his physical presence. He is not a ghost! Jesus knows that the disciples must understand that the Risen Jesus is the Jesus who was once with them throughout his ministry. That He is the same Jesus who suffered, died, and now is truly risen!

And we can see that Jesus is doing everything that Humans can comprehend, that he is alive. He walks with them, He eats with them. Through the Apostles, we know that Jesus is risen. Through all the actions of Jesus, through all the testimony of his disciples, we know that Jesus is present amongst us.

Jesus is present in this Tabernacle. Jesus is present during and after the words of consecrations on this Altar. IT IS NOT A Symbol as some suggest. It is true God. Do you believe it? Do you believe that Jesus is present behind the Tabernacle door? Do you believe that you receive True God, our Creator during Communion?

Once upon a time a priest invited a minister from another denomination that did not believe in a true presence of Jesus. The priest just did some renovation in the church and wanted to show that to that minister. So the priest gives a tour inside the church. When they came to the Tabernacle, the priest said: “here is our Lord Jesus Christ in his true presence”. The minister looked at the priest and asked? Father, do you really believe that God is behind this door? The priest answered “of course I do believe that God is there”. Then the minister said: “If you truly believe that there is God, not a symbol, but true God, than you should be on your knees, you should not even talk to me at this time, but with God. “

How true, if we truly believe that Jesus is risen, and is behind that door, that Jesus is present on this altar, than we should give more respect.

And how do we show our respect?

By preparing ourselves for receiving Jesus, by partaking during the Holy mass that Jesus instituted during last Supper. By coming to various devotions like May devotions. To adore Him, to be with Him on our knees. He is here, He invites you and me to be with him, to talk to Him, to listen to Him, to dine with Him.

How do we respond to His invitation? Let’s answer that to Jesus with our participation during every mass and during every devotions that we have in our parish, especially during Friday May devotions.

Jesus said to Thomas, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed”.

After reading today’s Gospel, we can ask this question: Why do some people have a strong faith and others a weak faith? In a way this is almost like asking, why do some people have strong physical health and others do not?
Consider just two possible reasons.

Some people have poor health because their parents did. They inherited a delicate body. On the other hand, some people have poor health because they don’t take care of themselves.

What is true of physical health is also true of spiritual health.

Some people have a weak faith because their parents had a weak faith. They inherit it, so to speak. If parents are lukewarm in their faith, this usually affects their children. On the other hand, our faith may be weak because we neglect it.

This brings us to a second question. Regardless of the reason for our weak faith, what can we do to strengthen it?

First of all, we need to keep in mind that faith is a gift. Having said this, however, it is up to us to dispose ourselves to receive the gift and increase in faith. Disposing ourselves for the gift of faith or an increase in faith is not unlike keeping physically fit. If we don’t eat well or exercise regularly, our body tends to grow weak or sickly. On the other hand, if we eat intelligently and exercise regularly, our body tends to grow stronger and healthier.

Our faith is somewhat like that too. It responds to nourishment and exercise. For example, when we receive the Eucharist prayerfully and live our lives according to the Gospel, our faith tends to grow stronger. Just as we embark on a program of physical exercise to build up our physical health, so we can embark upon a spiritual program to build up our spiritual health.

Our spiritual program begins with living the Gospel – putting into practice the teachings of Jesus.

Let us close with these words of Albert Schweitzer, the great missionary:

Do you want to believe in Jesus?
Do you really want to believe in him?
Then you must do something for him. In this age of doubt there is no other way.
If for his sake you give someone something to eat, or drink, or wear which Jesus promised to bless as though it were done to him, then you will see that you really did it for him.
Then he will reveal himself to you, as one who is alive.