Tuesday, December 21, 2010

December 21 -- St. Thomas the Apostle

St. Thomas the Apostle was one of the 12 apostles.   He saw Our Lord, heard His voice, witnessed His miracles.  And yet, Thomas doubted.  Our Lord said:

"Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed.  Blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed". 

Some are always asking for a miracle.  They need proof and when they get their wish, they need further miracles. 

Note the huge miracle of the Sun which took place on October 13, 1917.  Seventy thousand people witnessed it; millions saw photos and heard about it in the newspapers.  How many converted?  How many changed their life?

If people would have converted in proportion to the size and scope of Fatima miracle, Communism would have been annihilated long ago.  And, today, we would be living in the Reign of Mary. 

But when man is complacent with his sins, he closes his soul to grace and his eyes are blinded, even the most spectacular miracle is not enough to convert him.

Another consideration is St. Thomas’ attitude in regard to his doubt.  He was unfaithful when he doubted Our Lord's Resurrection.  His chastisement was that he was the only apostle not present at Our Lady's death.  But Our Lady's tenderness prevailed.  He arrived just as Her Assumption began and She tossed Her cincture to him as She was going to Heaven.

Picture of relic of Our Lady’s cincture.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/79438132@N00/4556379910/

With Our Lady's sweetness and Our Lord's severity, St. Thomas became a penitent soul.  A truly penitent soul is one who acknowledges his bad action.  With shame and sadness he humiliates himself by admitting the evil.  He hates the sin and wants others to also.  This attitude leads to a love of being reprimanded for the good of himself and others.

What sorrow do we have for our sins?  Have we repented sufficiently?  Do we hate sin and all its effects?   Are we happy to be criticized for our faults?

Ask St. Thomas to give us true repentance and contrition; to hate the evil we have done.  The soul with this spirit of penance attracts Our Lady.  And She brings Her Son.  Let us beg Her to be worthy of this supreme grace.

1 comment:

  1. Two weeks ago my daughter, husband and myself said the novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel for my daughter. She graduated from college last May and hoped to get a job in her field of study. She sent out many applications, one which seemed promising (since they needed 2 to fill the positions). The company told her they would make their decision the next day, but the days came and went. She thought they had chosen someone else until yesterday! Our Lady heard our prayers and we are so thankful to her. Our daughter starts her job in February.

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