Today we celebrate Christ Divine Mercy. Sometimes, we need to remember we are called to give “Mercy” to one another. However, Ibelieve, it can be harder for us to accept the “Mercy” God has for US.

I want to share with you my love for Thomas. How many times have you heard someone use the phase “Doubting Thomas”? Maybe you yourself have used it? For years I had thought, “Oh, Thomas, why could you not believe?” This feeling all changed in January of 2007.

As Transitional Deacons, my class was able to go to Rome. My one and only time I have been there. It was a powerful trip for me in many ways. I had always wanted to go there, even when I was young (though then it seamed like half way around the world). I was able to visit many of the historical sites around Rome, and even was invited into the nitch that held the tomb of John Paul II, for some private prayer time.

On the last night before we were to leave to come back, a group of my classmates wanted to go out for one last dinner. I was tired and knew the next day would be a long one, so I and a couple others stayed back for dinner at the hotel. That evening, when my classmates returned, there was a commotion in the hall. I went out to hear what had happened at the dinner. As they were finishing dinner, “a priest came over and asked where we were from?” since they were speaking English. One of my classmates said they were from St Paul MN and were all in the seminary. Then added, “Where are you from?” The priest than said, “I’m Cardinal Mahony from Los Angeles.” the Cardinal then placed down enough eros to pay for all of their dinners and a round of desert.

I found myself not wanting to believe this story. Yet I had no reason not too, we were in Rome after all, Cardinals are in Rome. Why did I not want to believe? Simple, I MISSED OUT! I was not there. Now let’s go back to Thomas. We are never told why Thomas was not there the first time Jesus appeared. Maybe Peter sent him on an errand. Or he himself just went out for a little air. All we know is he was not there. He missed out!

I was being asked by my classmate to believe something that very easily could have happened, yet I did not want to believe. Thomas was being asked to believe something extraordinary. That must have been a very long week for Thomas. We are called to be a people of great faith. To Believe. To Believe in the Risen Lord. We receive a great gift in this gospel. Did you hear it? “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” None of us were in that upper room. None of us put our fingers into the nail marks or our hand in his side. If we believe in Jesus Christ risen from the dead, we are included in this blessing. That blessing comes down through the centuries to us. Here in Clearwater in 2016 “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

I can see how greatly Blessed I have been here at St Luke’s. Thank You to all who helped in any way with all of the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. Everything seemed to go so well. This would have not been possible without a lot of help. Thank You to you all.

I have been Blessed by how many have taken up the challenge of a $1,000 donation for a Jar of Jam. So far 8 jars! And thank you to all others who have given what they can to the Parking Lot Drive. I hope, NO “I BELIEVE” we can keep the energy going. The offer is still out there. Will you join me and get some Jam from a priest “Jamming 4 Jesus”? Or even give what you can so we can get the work done without hitting our budget too hard. Our parking lot is the 1st thing people see when they come to St Luke’s. Help us make a good first impression.

Blessings,
Fr Backer