Today's gospel seems so familiar, maybe because most of us have been Doubting Thomas at some time in our lives. We haven't seen the physical body of Jesus, yet, we want to believe in the Jesus who said, "I am the Living One. I was dead, and now I am to live forever and ever."  We try, we pray, "Lord, I believe--help my unbelief," we read inspiring books. Still, our desire to "place my fingers into the holes in His hands and feet and side" never goes away.
 
Why is this? Because faith is always a process of coming to know and love God. "The desire for God is written in the human heart...," because we are "created by God and for God."
 
Think about the profound intimacy this conveys: from the first moment of life, we are living our lives in communion with God. In the trials and noise of life, we do not always feel the beat of God's heart, God's arms around us, God calling our name tenderly. So, how do we believe and respond to God while we live in this body, and in this world that our great-grandparents used to call "the valley of tears"?
 
Jesus said, "Happy are those who have NOT seen and yet believe." Faith waxes and wanes, and demands "Every effort of intellect, a sound will, 'an upright heart,' as well as the
witness of others who teach (us) to seek God." (Cath. Catech., Sec. 30)
 
This means reading, thinking, showing up for some faith formation nights at church, talking with your family about deep questions. It also means making decisions by what is fair, moral, and good. This Easter season is a chance to stop, read, and pray more than usual.
 
Finally, we need the community of good friends in faith, mentors, wiser souls to help us seek wisdom and faith. St. Paul says faith is the “substance of things hoped for”—so watch carefully what you are hoping for!
 
WELCOME SEMINARIAN MATT SELZER – Recently we have been informed that the diocese is sending us Seminarian Matt Selzer to be with us for the summer. Matt has completed his first year of theological formation at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore and will be with us from May 31st until July 31st. Matt will assist at daily and Sunday liturgies, as well as funerals, weddings, blessing services, communion calls, etc. He will get here just in time to participate in SummerFest as well as the Appalachian Mission Trip. Matt will introduce himself after his arrival.
 
A note of thanks to all who made the Easter liturgies so beautiful. To those who decorated the churches, the choirs and musicians, those who ministered around the altar and to those who worked behind the scenes in so many ways. The
liturgies were an opportunity for us to deepen our relationship with the Lord and to give praise to God.