Alleluia! From Rome, Italy, Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP, brings "A Word of Hope" for the Octave Day of Easter (also known as the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday). Today's Gospel famously recounts the story of "Doubting Thomas," the apostle who missed Jesus' first appearance and demanded physical proof before believing. Fr. Dominic explores Jesus' merciful response, appearing again a week later, yet gently guiding Thomas—and us—with the words, "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."
While we might wish for individual, private appearances of the Risen Lord, God's design for faith is communal. We are meant to come to faith through the shared testimony and proclamation of others—like the apostles (including Thomas after his encounter) and St. John writing the Book of Revelation. Faith isn't meant to be lived "siloed." Sharing the Gospel isn't just sharing facts; it's sharing the new life of the Risen Christ dwelling within us. Discover the hope of encountering Jesus not necessarily with physical eyes, but through the eyes of the heart, by receiving and sharing the Good News within the community of believers.
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