Second Sunday of Easter

My son and I love to watch crime shows on television. As faithful viewers, we've learned that eyewitness testimony may be unreliable but concrete facts are valued by police and forensic scientists. Simply believing a crime has occurred is not enough; one must have tangible evidence to prove something beyond a reasonable doubt.

Today's gospel retelling of the apostles' meeting with Jesus in the upper room turns this earthly truism on its ear. The apostles rejoice when they saw the risen Christ, and later invite their absent brother Thomas to share in their joy. Thomas demands evidence of Jesus' resurrection more appropriate in an episode of "Law and Order" than in a church and discounts their eyewitness testimony. Only when Jesus urges Thomas to touch his grievous wounds does the disciple utter, "My Lord and my God", and Jesus gently rebukes, "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Approach your relationship with Jesus with heartfelt faith and love. Read, reflect and believe His actions and testimony of faith: the promise of eternal life with Him is NOT a television show!

Christina Leslie