Jesus Believes in Us

04-11-2021From the Pastor's DeskMsgr. Ellsworth R. Walden

At times we wonder if we can do what we have committed ourselves to do, and at other times we jump in with enthusiasm, courage, and joy. We never know exactly what the future holds for us. One of the questions I pondered before I took the final step to ordination as a priest was, “Will I be able to do what a priest does?” As time goes by, I have learned many things and I thoroughly enjoy being a priest.

At times we wonder if we can do what we have committed ourselves to do, and at other times we jump in with enthusiasm, courage, and joy. We never know exactly what the future holds for us. One of the questions I pondered before I took the final step to ordination as a priest was, “Will I be able to do what a priest does?” As time goes by, I have learned many things and I thoroughly enjoy being a priest.

Back in the 1950s before the LIE was built, we would go to visit my mother’s family in Pennsylvania. Route 25 took us right through Smithtown on the way to the Parkway. Never did it enter my mind that one day I would be a priest and serve here. If you had asked me if I would write a message every day for more than a year to the people of my parish, I would have cringed in doubt. But looking at what I think should be done became a reality I have embraced through prayer, reading, and the joy of priesthood. Whether it is our profession, relationships, or religion, total commitment is not work, but an opportunity to become fully alive.

Today’s Gospel (John 20:19-31) relates two Resurrection appearances of Jesus to His apostles. Jesus appears to them where they are physically, mentally, and spiritually - filled with fear and behind locked doors. His appearance restores their faith, hope, and love for Him. Jesus did not doubt that they would follow Him and continue what He began. In the first appearance, Thomas was not present and he refused to believe that Jesus had appeared to them: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” As much as these are words of human doubt on the part of Thomas, the response is love and hope on the part of Jesus. Jesus invites Thomas to put his fingers into the wounds and believe. This passage does not say whether Thomas actually touched the marks on Jesus’ body. It simply tells us that Thomas believed as he responded: “My Lord and my God.”

Jesus refusal to dismiss Thomas with his doubts raised Thomas to be one of the foundation stones of our Church. Jesus has no doubts about what we are capable of when we follow and trust Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The Blessed Virgin Mary trusted God and conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit. St. Joseph did not doubt the words of an angel in his dream when he was told Mary conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Both Mary and Joseph had no doubts when it was time for Jesus to be born and lovingly brought Him from Mary’s womb in a stable. Mary’s faith was truly challenged when she walked with Jesus on the road to Calvary. She did not doubt God’s way would prevail.

Like Mary and Joseph, we do not have all he answers ahead of time. Their complete trust in God raised them beyond doubt and its accompanying fears and excuses to bring God Himself into our world. We don’t so much doubt like St. Thomas, nor do we always have the solid faith of Joseph and Mary. Yet, God has no doubts about who we are and all we are truly capable of in the best sense possible. The more we can see Jesus walking with us on our journey of life, the more security, peace, and joy we have. Jesus believes in each one of us and knows the joy we can bring into the world when we join with Him and one another as people of faith, hope, and love. That is what the Resurrected Jesus is all about. That is what we are all about.

I offer these verses from Psalm 18 for your prayerful reflection:

I love you, Lord, my strength,
my rock, my fortress, my savior.
My God is the rock where I take refuge;
my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold.
The Lord is worthy of all praise,
when I call I am saved from my foes.

He rewarded me because I was just,
repaid me, for my hands were clean,
for I have kept the way of the Lord,
and have not fallen away from my God.

For his judgments are all before me:
I have never neglected his commands.
I have always been upright before him;
I have kept myself from guilt.

He repaid me because I was just
and my hands were clean in his eyes.
You are loving with those who love you:
you show yourself perfect with the perfect.

With the sincere you show yourself sincere,
but the cunning you outdo in cunning.
For you save a humble people
but humble the eyes that are proud.

You, O Lord, are my lamp,
my God who lightens my darkness.
With you I can break through any barrier,
with my God I can scale any wall.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.