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Message of the Day
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When the soul betrays itself and loses the blessed and longed-for fervor, let it carefully investigate the reason for losing it. And let it arm itself with all its longing and zeal against whatever caused this. For the former fervor can return only through the same door through which it was lost.
- St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent
(And God is waiting with complete loving acceptance.)
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Readings of the Day
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EPH 2:19-22; PS 117:1BC, 2
JN 20:24-29
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But Thomas said to them,
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
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!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have
believed.”
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“I have found the book of the law in the Temple of the Lord.” —2 Kings 22:8
H“You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Capstone.” —Ephesians 2:20
The Lord specializes in making shaky, unstable, and doubting people into “living stones” (1 Pt 2:5) with rock-like faith, transforming them into pillars of the Church. For instance, Jesus came to doubting Thomas, and before long St. Thomas was crying out: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28) Jesus took Simon and changed his name to Peter, meaning “Rock” (see Jn 1:42). Peter
wasn’t true to his name at first, but, after being confirmed by the Spirit at Pentecost, St. Peter’s faith never failed, and he was able to strengthen his brothers (Lk 22:32). Jesus met Nathanael, whose prejudice indicated his instability (see Jn 1:46). Before long, Nathanael was professing his faith in Jesus as “the Son of God” and “the King of Israel” (Jn 1:49). When he fled from Calvary (Mk 14:50), St. Nathanael also faltered in
his faith but was finally confirmed by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Sts. Thomas, Peter, and Nathanael, with nine other previously shaky people, became the foundation stones of the Church (Eph 2:20; Rv 21:14; cf Acts 1:26). Are you shaky in your faith? (see Jn 6:61) Are you able to be manipulated by pressures? Would you be martyred for love of Jesus or give in to fear and selfishness? Ask the Father and Jesus to renew you in your
Confirmation by the Holy Spirit. Prayer: Father, may I have the strength to be martyred for love of You. Promise: “You became a believer because you saw Me. Blest are they who have not seen and have believed.” —Jn 20:29 Presentation Ministries
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Spiritual Reading
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Readings from Jesus Alive in Our Lives, by Philip St. Romain. Ave Maria Press, 1985. Contemplative Ministries, Inc. 2011. Part Three, Gift of the Spirit Chapter 6: The Gift of Tongues
(Glossalalia) - Selected quotes
There are few spiritual topics that arouse as much curiosity and debate as “speaking in tongues” (glossalalia). Although this phenomenon is not restricted to Christian spirituality, our discussion of it in this series will examine the types of
glossalalia described in scripture, the kind of prayer this is, its relationship to other charismatic gifts, and even how to receive the gift.
The gift of tongues appears in the Pauline lists of charismatic gifts, but it is not included in the inventory published by the Catherine of Siena Institute. The CSI views this gift as more in the service of prayer and personal holiness than ministry to the community, and I’m inclined to agree. There are exceptions,
however, such as when the gift manifests in prayer meetings as a catalyst for prophecy or other inspired messages, but outside of this, the manifestation is usually for the individual’s good. As Paul himself notes: For he who makes use of tongues is not talking to people but to God; because no one has the sense of what he is saying; but in the Spirit he is talking of secret things . . . He who makes use of tongues may do good to himself; but he who gives the
prophet’s word does good to the Church. (1 Cor. 14:2, 4) For this reason, it seems best to treat glossalalia as a kind of special case—a spiritual gift, to be sure, but one directed to the edification of the individual, and often with the consequence of catalyzing the expression of other charismatic gifts.
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