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Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 03 July 2025
Thursday, Feast of St. Thomas the Apostles
Ephesians 2:19-22 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> John 20:24-29
Lord Jesus, teach me to be like you - so understanding, so caring, so loving to those who are doubting you like Thomas your Apostle; poor Thomas - he has been called "Doubting" when the evangelists simply referred to him as "Didymus" or twin; however, it is so lovely too to know that doubt and certainty are like twins because when we doubt, the more we seek and find the truth which Thomas did.
When I think of my own faith journey in you, Lord, many times I was worst than St. Thomas for I was not only doubting you but also hesitant in following you because of fears and mistrust, lack of confidence in my self, and simply self-centered. Could it be, Lord, that in each one of us is Thomas our twin - doubting, hesitating, indecisive, in following you?
Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he 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 and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26-28).
How nice of you, Lord Jesus to be so warm with Thomas on that night when you appeared again; instead of engaging Thomas into a debate or discussion, you called him, invited him to touch your wounds, to feel your scars; what an incredible courage, Lord Jesus to let us see and feel closely your wounds, to stare and look at your sufferings, to remember and imagine your lowest point in life if only to show us that it is the only way to glory; many times, we are afraid to admit even to ourselves and to others our wounds and hurts, preferring to keep them even hide them to keep our illusions of greatness.
May we find the graces of joy and warmth, love and kindness that fill our many wounds in life as a result of our following you, Lord Jesus for it is in our woundedness and hurts that we become "members of the household of God who are built together to be the dwelling place of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:19, 22). Amen. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City
