Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Christ is Risen!

Today the Holy Orthodox Church remembers how eight days after the Resurrection of Christ, our risen Lord Jesus Christ once again appeared to His disciples. He came to them through closed and locked doors so as to assuage the doubts of the Apostle Thomas and lead him to a firm faith in the reality of His resurrection from the dead. The Holy Hierarch John Chrysostom, in his sermon on today’s Gospel reading, notes the deep mercy and philanthropy of the Saviour. It was not enough for Christ that all His disciples save one came to believe in the Resurrection, and so He did everything necessary for Thomas to join to join the others in their faith. For this He once again debased Himself and condescended not only to having His wounds seen, but also touched by a sinful man. In such a manner, He showed not only Thomas, but also all of us that He is ready to take any measures to return to Himself the lost sheep.

St. John writes that in his time, as is also the case now, there were people who thought their faith would be strengthened had they lived during the time of the Saviour and had been eyewitnesses to the miracles and signs that He performed. I could add from myself that there is a tendency amongst certain people to search out miracles in our own time. To such people Chrysostom answers with the words of the Saviour Himself: “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” In other words, that person for whom the Gospel narrative is enough for faith is more fortunate than the one who needs proof.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, in these Paschal days and in general always, let the reading of the Gospel be for each of us the main method of strengthening our weak faith. Let’s not seek after miracles or supernatural manifestations of God’s strength among us so as not to lose that blessedness which was given to us by the Saviour Himself in today’s reading. Today it also behooves us not to forget that our Lord Jesus Christ never abandons His friends without help. As once He came to Thomas and strengthened his faith, so He will come to us in those difficult moments of our life. If He doesn’t come immediately, let us not fret and lose hope, for He came to Thomas not immediately, but only on the eighth day.

priest Alexis

P. S. Tomorrow here in Canada a general election will be held to elect a new Parliament and government. Perhaps today and tomorrow, in these joyous Paschal days, we should remember that the most talented, bright, and energetic leader, even if he fixes all of Canada’s problems and makes it once again one of the best countries in the world, will not make Canada into a paradise on earth and will not bring happiness to every person. Only our risen Lord Jesus Christ is able to make us truly fortunate and settle us in Paradise. Therefore, vote according to your conscience, while at the same time putting all your hope in God.