Today is the feast day of St. Thomas, the Apostle. I’ve written before about how in my youth I didn’t acknowledge him as my namesake, because he doubted. He had to see to believe. And I also wrote before how in Medjugorje my eyes were opened, and I gave my life to God. But when others were seeing miracles there, I --- thinking of St. Thomas --- prayed that I see no miracles, yet believe. I want to trust, totally. That was and is my prayer (although God has shown me many miracles).
At today’s mass, the priest emphasized the words of Jesus: “Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe (Jn20).” The priest, however, said it was a good thing that Thomas doubted (like him, we all have doubts about something) because Thomas’ doubting gave Jesus the opportunity to say and emphasize the words about the importance of faith, believing without seeing. Jesus came to show, without a doubt, Thomas and the world many things. He showed us the reason for our earthly life: to gain life eternal. A happy life eternal. Thomas’ doubting gave opportunity for Jesus to emphasize: have faith. My men’s Bible Study group yesterday talked about Matthew 6, which tells how to pray the Our Father prayer. It talks about Him forgiving us as we forgive others. We set the standard for His forgiveness of us. The men spoke of opportunities we have (or should seek) to forgive others, and by our actions show love to the God within them. Forgiveness does not approve of bad actions, but loves the child God created, whom He always loves. Forgiveness trusts there is Good in everyone.
This is Independence Day weekend. We sang God Bless America at the end of mass today, but it’s rarely sung these days. Kids don’t sing it at school, nor the National Anthem, or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I visited a major store in my town this week and found NO evidence of Independence Day --- no cards, no flags, no mention. Statues of our founders are being torn down because our kids are taught NOT to forgive them for bad things they did, and not remember the good. God is not taught in our schools, either. Different things are now taught as “good” to our kids, including those things our soldier forefathers died for to protect us from. How did we let this happen?
I see many positive things, in Church groups, in young people’s groups and in God’s many other blessings on our country. I pray for His mercy with all my prayers. Yet, as the Bible Study group, and the Our Father, pointed out, we have to act. We’ve let schools and government bodies act in our behalf, and not been aware that they were only acting in their behalf. And our children are taught to be selfish and only worry about themselves or their group. And they are taught not to love our country, and that it is NOT “one nation under God.” If no one tells them differently, how are they to know the truth?
God blesses America, today, in many ways. One is that we still can act to do good, and have faith in Him --- for now. We’ve gotten too concerned with the material blessings we received, saying we want our kids to have a better life than we had (materially) and took our eye off of loving others. How can we reach out to spread His love? First and most importantly, we can have faith as Thomas learned, by improving our prayer life: “Jesus, You blessed me with this day, what can we do together?” Trust in Him to show us. There are lots of opportunities: charities for the poor, the lonely, and the forgotten, so we can personally show them our love, and see their smile. We can promote God’s teaching, outside abortion clinics or by attending classes to renew the faith in us and our children. And we can join school boards or city/township boards, or at least attend their meetings, and help prevent selfish teachings, and to bring God’s presence. Or even just write letters to the editor of papers.
God blesses America today, where we act as instruments of His peace, and His love.
I trust in Him, and pray for His mercy on us.
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