Jesus recognises that our doubts encourage us to question, to delve deeper into our life of faith in God's presence in our life. Thomas the Doubter is one of us. He will not accept the testimony of his fellow apostles that Jesus had resurrected into new life, following His crucifixion. Thomas needs to experience the physical evidence by touching the wounds of Jesus.
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
~John 20
Faith in God is never an academic pursuit, rather it is a developing awareness that our trust in Our Father's guidance, leading us through our life's journey is daily rewarded with evidence testifying to the presence of The Spirit of God alive in our life.
One of the most amusing stories on the life of Padre Pio (I'm being very brief) evidenced the unwillingness, even hostily of three popes to the healings performed by Padre Pio.
A Vatican meeting convened by Pope X1 discussing how to deal with the matter of Padre Pio included the friar's supporters, and detractors. During the meeting a young Capuchin friar appeared at the meeting begging Pope Pius X1 not to further restrict the ministry of Padre Pio.
A Vatican led special investigation of Padre Pio's whereabouts at the time of the Vatican meeting confirmed that Padre Pio was present at his friary.
Those persons on the receiving end of Padre Pio's healing gifts were in no doubt that The Father was working His miracles through Padre Pio.
Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe. ~ Saint Augustine
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