WORD OF LIVING WATER DAILY INSPIRATION. By Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew.

DON’T BE A DOUBTING THOMAS

(Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 118, 1 Pet. 1:3-9, 17-19, Jn 20:19-31)

My dear friends in Christ, as Easter people we are called to live the reality of the resurrection to the entire world. The power of the resurrection must be felt in our lives as Christians. This can only be manifested when we demonstrate strong faith in Christ. But the truth is that, sometimes we also doubt the power of God in our lives just as Thomas also doubted the resurrection of Christ. We undermine the power of God in situations which we think is impossible to overcome. But the question is, what is impossible to God? Of course, there is nothing that God cannot do not even the resurrection of Christ. We don’t need to think that there are certain things which are beyond God. What God cannot do does not exist.

In the first reading, the apostles were performing many signs and wonders through the power of Christ. The power of the resurrection transformed the apostles and the disciples of Christ, which empowered them to work great things in the name of Christ. The Holy Spirit was at the centre of all this transformation. They became authentic witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. In fact, Peter during his address after Pentecost, indicated to the people that the signs they are seeing are as a result of the resurrection effect. They could not had done what they did if Christ did not resurrect from the dead. God used them to communicate to the people that Jesus truly has risen. Therefore, there is no need to believe the fabrications by the Jewish leaders denying the resurrection event. Christ is truly alive and the people must believe this mystery. 

The resurrection became one of the religious events which was difficult to believe without an eye of faith. Someone dying, especially being crucified like a common criminal and rising from the dead on the third day in the case of Christ. This was not a common phenomenon during the time of Jesus. No wonder some of the apostles and disciples which included Thomas could not believe, especially when they had not encountered him after the resurrection. We may be pointing fingers at Thomas but if we were in his shoes may be, we might have done worst. Some of them came to believe because they had the opportunity to go to the empty tomb and also encountered him after the resurrection. But am still sure some of them had the opportunity to experience all this but still had doubts in them, because it was difficult to believe. In the gospel of Mark, appearances of Jesus were reported to his followers but some still did not believe. Which made Jesus to reprimand his eleven apostles for their unbelief when he appeared to them whiles they were on table (Mk 16:9-15).

My dear friends in Christ, the saying that “seeing is believing” does not work in matters of faith. Thomas wanted to use this principle in believing the resurrection event. But Christ pointed out to him that people of faith only need to believe the promises of the Lord. The book of Hebrews 11:1 indicate that “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. Those who experienced the power of Christ in their lives both in the gospels and the epistles had faith in him. You need faith in your life as a Christian in order to please God. Of course, we all have it in different levels or degrees.

Sometimes the doubting becomes too much in our lives as Christians. Some of us at times doubt the very things we are asking God to do for us. You cannot be praying for something and at the same time you don’t think God cannot do it and expect a positive result. Lack of faith in God blocks a lot of our blessings as Christians. Normally at the Marian Shrines, we see non- Catholics which includes Muslims giving testimonies upon testimonies about the wonders of God in their lives. We do hear some Catholics making comments that they have been coming to such places but they are not seeing any results. Sometimes it is because of lack of faith.

Let us remember that no situation is bigger than God. Sometimes we only need to wait on him and at the right time he will perform great things in our lives. Faith in God is very necessary for our Christian journey.

As we celebrate Divine Mercy today, let us employ his mercy to forgive us the times we have failed to allow his power to manifest in our lives. May the resurrection power of Christ always be alive in us and help us to develop strong faith in God. AMEN.

Develop strong faith in God. DO NOT DOUBT GOD’S POWER.

Once again, I wish you  a happy Easter and a blessed week ahead.

REV. FR. Akakpo Matthew