This Sunday, the Gospel reading is from John 20:19-31, ‘Doubting Thomas’. This reflection, comes from Nick Brodie.

‘In reality,’ Pope Francis points out, ‘Thomas is not the only one who struggles to believe. In fact,’ the Pope adds, ‘he represents all of us a little bit.’

But Thomas does not only represent us with his explicitly articulated doubt. Rather, Thomas highlights our tendency to walk away. Thomas had absented himself from the community. Returning, he seems a touch transactional: Show me the proof, then I’ll commit!

As Pope Francis highlights, Jesus answers Thomas’ doubt ‘in front of everyone, in the community.’ It was, the Pope suggests, as if Jesus was telling Thomas that ‘if you want to meet me, do not search far away; remain in our community, with the others, and don’t go away. Pray with them. Break bread with them.’ Be open to encounter, not closed to possibilities.

This, evidently, is a lesson for us too. Every Christian generation is called to find the Risen Christ together. We belong with each other, with Christ forming a mystical unity out of our diversity.

In this, the story of Thomas has another lesson for the Church. We Christians are called to be a welcoming people. ‘Let us ask ourselves,’ the Pope suggests, ‘if in the name of Jesus’ wounds, we are willing to open our arms to those who are wounded by life, excluding no one from God’s mercy but welcoming everyone.’

After all, despite his attitude Thomas was still included and welcomed by the community whose testimony he doubted. Even more pointedly, Our Lord opens his exchange with the doubter with some clearly welcoming words: ‘Peace be with you.’

Project Compassion Uniform Free Day

Sacramental Enrolment

Please ensure that if you are intending for your child to make a sacrament this year, you need to enrol your child/children before the end of the term. You can do this via the South Tuggeranong Parish Qkr. If you have any questions, please ensure you reach out to Anne Gowen at TuggeranongSouth.Sacraments@cg.catholic.edu.au

Have a wonderful week,

Rachel Kennedy

Religious Education Coordinator