Jun 25, 2025 Written by 

In the search, the Encounter

On the first day of the week, Jesus came to the disciples while they were gathered behind closed doors.

He entrusted them with the mission of proclaiming the Good News, 'breathing' on them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

Thomas, who was absent, found it hard to believe and was rebuked by Jesus for demanding to see and touch, without accepting the testimony of the other disciples.

Yet Thomas sought a first-hand experience of the Risen One.

 

The Poor Man of Assisi and his brothers grew in faith through their active encounter with the Lord in the poverty they lived, in the solitude and prayer they experienced in their daily lives.

Faith in Jesus, who died on the cross as a criminal to assure us of eternal life, overflowed in the bare existence of Francis and his brothers.

It was certainly a divine gift, but also the fruit of a non-formal relationship that developed along the path they had taken.

It is worth remembering what the Sources attest:

"[Francis] taught them to praise God in all creatures; to honour priests with special veneration; to believe firmly and confess openly the truth of the faith [...]

They observed in everything the teachings of their holy father, and as soon as they saw a church or a cross from afar, they turned towards it, prostrated themselves humbly on the ground and prayed in the manner they had been taught" (FF 1069).

Chiara herself, in her Letter to Ermentrude of Bruges, regarding the life of Fede, suggests:

"Remain, therefore, my dearest, faithful until death to Him to whom you have bound yourself forever. And you will certainly be crowned by Him with the crown of life.

The time of toil here below is short, but the reward is eternal.

Do not be dazzled by the splendours of the world that pass like a shadow.

Do not be surprised by the empty images of this deceitful world; close your ears to the whispers of hell and strongly resist its temptations.

Bear adversity willingly, and do not let pride swell your heart in prosperous times; the former call you back to your faith, the latter demand it (FF 2914).

The experience of God in their lives had been so strong, incisive and merciful that they could speak as no one had ever done before.

 

‘Thomas answered him and said, «The Lord of mine and the God of mine!»’ (Jn 20:28)

 

 

3 July, St Thomas the Apostle  (Jn 20:24-29)

58 Last modified on Wednesday, 25 June 2025 04:48
Teresa Girolami

Teresa Girolami è laureata in Materie letterarie e Teologia. Ha pubblicato vari testi, fra cui: "Pellegrinaggio del cuore" (Ed. Piemme); "I Fiammiferi di Maria - La Madre di Dio in prosa e poesia"; "Tenerezza Scalza - Natura di donna"; co-autrice di "Dialogo e Solstizio".

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Peter, Andrew, James and John are called while they are fishing, while Matthew, while he is collecting tithes. These are unimportant jobs, Chrysostom comments, "because there is nothing more despicable than the tax collector, and nothing more common than fishing" (In Matth. Hom.: PL 57, 363). Jesus' call, therefore, also reaches people of a low social class while they go about their ordinary work [Pope Benedict]
Pietro, Andrea, Giacomo e Giovanni sono chiamati mentre stanno pescando, Matteo appunto mentre riscuote il tributo. Si tratta di lavori di poco conto – commenta il Crisostomo -  “poiché non c'è nulla di più detestabile del gabelliere e nulla di più comune della pesca” (In Matth. Hom.: PL 57, 363). La chiamata di Gesù giunge dunque anche a persone di basso rango sociale, mentre attendono al loro lavoro ordinario [Papa Benedetto]
The invitation given to Thomas is valid for us as well. We, where do we seek the Risen One? In some special event, in some spectacular or amazing religious manifestation, only in our emotions and feelings? [Pope Francis]
L’invito fatto a Tommaso è valido anche per noi. Noi, dove cerchiamo il Risorto? In qualche evento speciale, in qualche manifestazione religiosa spettacolare o eclatante, unicamente nelle nostre emozioni e sensazioni? [Papa Francesco]
A life without love and without truth would not be life. The Kingdom of God is precisely the presence of truth and love and thus is healing in the depths of our being. One therefore understands why his preaching and the cures he works always go together: in fact, they form one message of hope and salvation (Pope Benedict)
Una vita senza amore e senza verità non sarebbe vita. Il Regno di Dio è proprio la presenza della verità e dell’amore e così è guarigione nella profondità del nostro essere. Si comprende, pertanto, perché la sua predicazione e le guarigioni che opera siano sempre unite: formano infatti un unico messaggio di speranza e di salvezza (Papa Benedetto)
His slumber causes us to wake up. Because to be disciples of Jesus, it is not enough to believe God is there, that he exists, but we must put ourselves out there with him; we must also raise our voice with him. Hear this: we must cry out to him. Prayer is often a cry: “Lord, save me!” (Pope Francis)
Il suo sonno provoca noi a svegliarci. Perché, per essere discepoli di Gesù, non basta credere che Dio c’è, che esiste, ma bisogna mettersi in gioco con Lui, bisogna anche alzare la voce con Lui. Sentite questo: bisogna gridare a Lui. La preghiera, tante volte, è un grido: “Signore, salvami!” (Papa Francesco)
Evangelical poverty - it’s appropriate to clarify - does not entail contempt for earthly goods, made available by God to man for his life and for his collaboration in the design of creation (Pope John Paul II)
La povertà evangelica – è opportuno chiarirlo – non comporta disprezzo per i beni terreni, messi da Dio a disposizione dell’uomo per la sua vita e per la sua collaborazione al disegno della creazione (Papa Giovanni Paolo II)
May we obtain this gift [the full unity of all believers in Christ] through the Apostles Peter and Paul, who are remembered by the Church of Rome on this day that commemorates their martyrdom and therefore their birth to life in God. For the sake of the Gospel they accepted suffering and death, and became sharers in the Lord's Resurrection […] Today the Church again proclaims their faith. It is our faith (Pope John Paul II)
Ci ottengano questo dono [la piena unità di tutti i credenti in Cristo] gli Apostoli Pietro e Paolo (Papa Giovanni Paolo II)

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