Father, can I hug you?

Listening to the Spirit

"Heavenly Father, I come before You longing to strengthen my faith. Help me to trust You with all my heart, even when doubts and uncertainties arise. Fill me with Your peace and give me the strength to believe that You are working all things for good. Renew my spirit and help me stand firm in faith, even when I feel weak. Amen."

Listening to the Word

John 20:19–31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

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 he 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.”

Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Reflection

"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned… These are my sins….” Sometimes, a penitent finds it difficult to begin or to confess their sins, especially when the burden is heavy. But once they are able to say it, tears of joy and sorrow become one. As a confessor, my heart leaps with joy every time this happens during confession. I truly appreciate their courage. I always tell them: the moment you decided to come to confession was already a concrete sign of God whispering in a gentle voice, "I love you. Let us talk." God understands your struggles. Sometimes we get tired of our own sins, but God never tires of forgiving and loving us. God loves you. Many times, during confession, after I give the absolution, the penitent asks before leaving: "Father, can I hug you?"

Perhaps the people who come for confession simply want to hear these consoling words, and that is enough for them to feel the embracing love of God. They have passed through struggles and experienced doubts, feeling they have no reason to believe; yet, with a little courage, they humbly confess these struggles. "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned..."

The apostle Thomas started following Jesus with the clear conviction that Jesus would lead him to freedom. He and the other apostles left everything behind because all their hope was in Him. While Jesus was still with them, this hope was alive. They witnessed His miracles—healing the sick, driving out demons, and welcoming sinners. They even saw Jesus bring Lazarus back to life.

But all these mighty works seemingly ended with a tragic death. The Jesus they knew as "Master" became powerless in the face of suffering. In that moment, their faith in Him began to diminish.

It was in this desperate, hopeless situation that Thomas faced a new reality: Jesus is risen. The "doubtful" Thomas questioned and challenged this: "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." Perhaps Thomas wanted to say, "Don’t tell me another joke. How can a man who died suddenly come back to life?" He might have thought, Since he was able to raise Lazarus, maybe... but I want to see it for myself.

Jesus understood Thomas’s struggles. He understood his desperation and hopelessness. Jesus is patient. He answered the challenge of Thomas’s flickering faith: "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, come closer. I understand your anger and frustration. But now, my suffering—and yours—is over. Peace be with you all. I imagine Jesus, looking at all His gathered disciples, adding: "Did I not tell you that the Son of Man must suffer and rise on the third day?"

O Lord my God, I am sorry for not believing in You. Like Thomas, we sometimes question God in the midst of our struggles and suffering. We doubt whether God hears our prayers. We ask Him, "Lord, are You with me?" The risen Christ answers all our doubts; He stands before us and says, "Behold, I am with you always." Blessed are we who have not seen and yet have believed.

Today, as we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, we can say Saint Faustina’s simplest prayer: "Jesus, I trust in You."