April 19, 2020 - Divine Mercy Sunday/Second Sunday of Easter

"Who Makes Your Garden Grow?"

Audio Clip

Have you noticed that the slower the pace of life becomes, the more of it you see? It was like that for me, today --- as I was walking back from my mailbox to the house, out of the corner of my eye and through the trees, I could make out some activity in my neighbor's backyard. Stopping to look more closely, I noticed a mother and her daughter on their hands and knees, preparing the soil in their garden for the spring weather. I called over to say "hi" and to ask how their preparations were coming along. The mother said they'd gotten a lot accomplished and had planted some of the more hardy vegetables like kale, lettuce and peas but the less hardy, the tomatoes and peppers, they'd started by seed in their home until the weather was warmer. And, then, with a big smile, she made a revealing statement --- I'm not sure what it is about peppers, I never seem to have any luck with them, but I'm trying again. I'm hoping this is the year!

I've never been much of a gardener, but from what I've witnessed, it's a labor of love, hard work and patience. And, you have to possess a lot of optimism --- for who would go through all of that preparation if you didn't believe that it would turn out well. All in all, what a beautiful lesson for a mother to teach her child.

In today's Gospel, John shares the memorable account of "Doubting Thomas". Thomas was one of Jesus' twelve apostles and a witness to many of Christ's miracles. He had likely seen and experienced as much of our Savior's ministry as anyone, but during the dark days which followed Jesus' crucifixion, his faith had weakened --- truthfully, it probably had weakened in all of the apostles.

But, Thomas' stance went beyond harboring doubts and approached what may even be considered boastful behavior. Thomas had placed himself in the position of challenging Jesus to prove that He had risen from the dead --- to prove that Jesus was the Messiah. Rather than trusting in the power of Christ and the words of his fellow apostles, Thomas sought to control his circumstances by declaring, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Perhaps the final days of Jesus' life had played out differently than what Thomas had imagined or desired. Maybe, Thomas had started to question the level of commitment he had given to Jesus' ministry. As with the gardener and her plot of soil, after all of the time and hard work, Thomas had hoped the harvest would be as he had planned.

It reminds us of our lives, doesn't it? Like Thomas, do we seek to control rather than to trust? No matter how much we've planned and prepared, there are so many things beyond our power -- but hasn't it always been that way? Thinking back, relationships have come and gone, with the most meaningful of them having continued to grow, even if we've sometimes forgotten to nurture them. And, for the most part, our jobs have provided what our families have needed --- we've been able to gather from the garden enough for us to live and to laugh for that day. We've had moments when we haven't been given what we wanted, but we've been given what we needed. It hasn't been perfect, but no garden is perfect.

Today, we're facing a challenge we never could have imagined. Our lives and the lives of those we love are vulnerable --- our businesses and our finances which have taken much of our lives to build are uncertain --- like Thomas, the days we are about to live, may be very different than what we expected. But, if we choose, there is One truth which is cause for optimism --- One truth which is ours to trust, not challenge. St. Paul tells us that as disciples, we may have to suffer through various trials so that our faith may prove to be for the praise, glory and honor of Jesus Christ. So, despite the challenges, if we persevere and continue to believe and to live Jesus' mission of loving and serving God and each other, our Heavenly Father promises us an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading --- eternal life with Him in heaven.

As we know, this week's Gospel doesn't end with Thomas laying down his challenge to the risen Christ. After his initial visit with the apostles, Jesus waits a while, and approaches them a second time so He can reassure Thomas. This is the way that Jesus is with us, especially during times like these. Jesus will come to us once, twice, and will continue coming back to us if that's what we need, until we place our trust in Him. He will never stop approaching us, especially when we need Him most. Jesus wants us to believe that all good things are possible through His mercy --- even things that are so incredible, that they are beyond our imagination. The challenge for us, like the gardener, is if season after season the peppers don't come up, can we remain optimistic, can we remain hopeful? As disciples, will our faith in Jesus remain strong? Can we love Him as He loves us --- are we able to love Jesus unconditionally?

As we continue with our day, let us contemplate the inspiring words which God the Father shared with St. Catherine of Siena:

"I've appointed the Devil to tempt and to trouble My creatures in this life. I've done this, not so that My creatures will be overcome, but so that they may overcome, proving their virtue and receiving from Me the glory of victory. And no one should fear any battle or temptation of the Devil that may come to him, because I've made my creatures strong, and I've given them strength of will, fortified in the Blood of My Son."

My friends, let us pray --- Dear Lord, during these challenging days, may we be strengthened by the reassuring words which You shared with Your holy disciple St. Catherine. May Your grace give us a holy optimism and a sincere desire to overcome adversity as a sign of our love for You. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.