Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the 13th week in ordinary time, July 3, 2025, Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle

Delivered by Ria from the Parish of Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. Ephesians 2: 19-22; Rs psalm 117: 1.2; John 20: 24-29.DISAPPOINMENT The title for our meditation today is:Disappoinment. It is not too much to reflect on the apostle Thomas with the feelingof disappointment. He is one of the 12 apostles who is unique. He is alsocalled Didymus and known as a person who is doubtful. He was with other disciples and manypeople in his time, had perceptions about Jesus the Messiah, who would become aking like David as the liberator of the State of Judaism. But this perceptionwas totally wrong. Jesus turned out to be executed so shameful. This clearlydisappointed many people who already believed in the power of the Messiah. Disappointment grew strongly amongmany of these people, and one of them was Thomas. Consequently he chosed tostay away, was ashamed and perhaps also cried over the regret for had beenfollowing Jesus all that long. Anyway, he was very disappointed. The testimonyof the women who met the risen Jesus, along with the story of other fellowapostles who saw firsthand the risen Jesus, was not an interesting thing forThomas. He was very disappointed, so he needed other evidence that was strongerand not just stories. A great disappointment must beovercome with a new spirit that is far more superior. This spirit is not enoughto be given by humans, but must be given from above, namely God's intervention.So Jesus himself came to give evidence of his own resurrection. With this superintervention of Jesus, the apostle Thomas could change radically through therecognition of his very strong faith, "my Lord and my God". Every one of us has experienceddisappointment, despair and broken-hearted. This condition varies from the simpledisappointment to the severe one. Whatever the conditions, the suffering of thistype requires recovery. For those who experience disappointment, despair orsevere broken-hearted, of course, they need spiritual treatment. This serves togive them a new life, a new spirit in the Christian spirituality, and the strongrecognition of faith in God. Then we may have the following wiseadvice proposed to all of us, namely, if you are now experiencing such severedisappointment, heavy despair or painful broken-hearted, rely always on God's powerand intervention. Avoid hiding yourself, crying over yourself, even the worstis blaming God. Every disappointment, hopelessness or broken-hearted has itstime to terminate. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... In your grace and power,  OFather, strengthen us to always be in Your love, especially whendisappointment, despair and hurt befall us. May the Virgin Mary, guardianangels and saints always accompany us in those difficult moments. Hail Maryfull of grace ... In the name of the Father ...