Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the thirteenth week in ordinary time, July 3rd, 2026, Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle

Delivered by Vici from the Parish of Saint John the Baptist in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Ephesians 2: 19-22; Rs psalm 117: 1.2; John 20: 24-29.O MY LORD AND MY GOD Our meditation today has the theme: O My Lord and MyGod. This expression came from St. Thomas the Apostle, whose feast we celebratetoday in the Church. He was one of the 12 apostles who had also another nameDidymus, and was very well known as a person who had little faith and hard tobelieve in the risen Christ. He along with other apostles and many people in hisday had a perception of Jesus the Messiah who must become a king like the KingDavid who was powerful and believed to be able to liberate the people of Israelfrom all forms of occupation of foreign nations. But this perception as totallywrong. Jesus was found to be put to death in a shameful way by being crucifiedand died. This as clearly very disappointing to many people who alreadybelieved in the power of a Messiah. One of those people who were so disappointed was theapostle Thomas. Consequently, he chose to stay away, hid himself, afraid andmaybe thinking of choosing another way of life. Anyway he was very angry anddisappointed. The testimony of the women who met the risen Jesus, along withthe stories of other apostles who saw first hand Jesus who rose from the deaddid not give any light for Thomas to believe. He instead needed other evidencethat was stronger and not just a story telling. For him story or narration toldis equally bad as lie. If there is a big disappointment, we actually need anew spirit that is more superior in order to overcome it. This spirit is notenough from any human power and ability, but must be given from above, namelyGod himself who has divine intervention. Evidently, Jesus Himself came to givethe truth about Himself who had already risen. This should had been a suppertestimony and not jus stories. With the real presence of the risen Christ, theapostle Thomas was then able to change radically, signified by his powerfulconfession of faith, "O my Lord and my God". Everyone of us has experienced disappointment, despairand broken heart. They vary from small to big, or mild to severe. Whatever theconditions, such sufferings indeed require recovery. For those who experiencedisappointment, despair or severe broken heart, they are surely in need ofspiritual healing that is only through the Lord's intervention. When therecovery is acquired,  a new life isregained, enthusiasm grows again, and the confession of faith in God is strengthened. And so there is a wise advice for all of us. If weexperience suffering such as disappointment, despair or broken heart, let usrely on the strength and the mercy of God. We need to avoid being closed, sador even an act of blaming God because of this trouble. Every disappointment,despair or broken heart is in due will pass away. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... In your providence and mercy, O Lord,strengthen us to be always in Your love, especially when disappointment,despair and hear-broken come along our ways. May the Blessed Mother, theguardian angels and especially the apostle Thomas accompany us in thesedifficult moments. Hail Mary, full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...