John 20:24-29

If we use the news as the basis, whether it be TV, Radio, or the internet, there is so much anxiety and worry nowadays, even without COVID-19. If you talk to people you will realize that many of them are going through a lot – between sickness, court cases, issues with money, issues with relationships, stress at work, among many others.

While most of us profess to be Christians and Catholics, how many of us go to God not as the first resort, but as last resort. Why? Do we doubt if God really cares? Do we doubt if God will answer our prayers? Do we doubt if God can really fix the situation?

In discussing doubt, the Gospel speaks of the infamous “Doubting Thomas”. To the news that Jesus is very much alive, he said, “I want to 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 believe.”

The readings give us an antidote for anxiety and worry. The words of Jesus, “Do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Three things that we should believe in:

1. “Is there anything too marvelous for the Lord to do?” These are the words of God to Abraham when he was promised a child. The thing was, both Abraham and Sarah were old. How can they still have children? Eventually, Abraham and Sarah indeed had descendants as many as the stars. Lesson one, with the Lord, nothing is impossible.
2. “Why did you doubt?” When Peter asked Jesus if he could walk on water, Jesus obliged and indeed he did. When we took notice of the waves though, the wind and the storm, fear entered him. Because of this, he started to sink. Lesson two, God is greater than our fears. 
3. “The Lord has done great things for me.” These were words of Mary despite her going through a difficult time in our lives, specifically being given the vocation of being the mother of the savior. Lesson three, even in difficult times, the Lord continues to work wonders in our lives. 

That is why dear brothers and sisters, most especially when things are not right, three things we can do.

• Have Faith. If God was able to work wonders in other people’s lives, he too can work wonder in our own lives. 
• Have Hope. We always have two options: be negative or be positive and hopeful. 
• Have Love. Continue to reach out even when times are difficult, one realizes that we do not have monopoly of the problems of the world. 

Indeed with Faith, Hope and Love, we have no reason not to be unbelieving but believe.