Doubting the Wrong Person

Readings 070326 

Some of you may remember Mr. T—

the gold chains, 

the tough‑guy persona, 

a wrestler,

an actor, "The A-Team"

The "Rocky" movie

and his famous line: “I pity the fool.”

But Mr. T is alo a devout Christian. 

A preacher. 

And he once gave a message on Thomas’ situation

that still makes me stop and think.

He said Thomas didn’t doubt Jesus. 

Thomas doubted the other apostles. 

He doubted their testimony. 

He doubted their excitement. 

He doubted their ability to tell the truth 

about something so unbelievable.

And maybe that’s closer to our hearts 

than we want to admit.

Because sometimes we don’t doubt Christ— 

we doubt His people. 

We doubt the Church. 

We doubt the witness 

standing right in front of us. 

We doubt the ones who say,

 “I have seen the Lord.”

But Jesus doesn’t shame Thomas. 

He meets him. 

He invites him. 

He lets Thomas touch the wounds 

that saved the world.

And then Jesus blesses us— 

those who have not seen, 

yet still believe.

So today, when doubt rises, 

don’t pity the fool. 

Pity the distance. 

And let Christ close it. 

Just like He did for Thomas.

Amen.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, 

Meet me in my doubts 

with Your gentle mercy. 

Let my heart trust Your wounds 

more than my fears. 

Strengthen my faith, 

Draw me close 

when I struggle to believe.

Bless me with the courage 

to reach toward Your truth. 

Keep me steady in your grace. 

Amen

St Thomas, pray for us.

Courage, Child…

Readings 70226 

Forgiveness is the most mysterious thing.

Some people forgive easily…

almost miraculously.

Some carry wounds they cannot release.

And some—maybe the most heartbreaking—

cannot forgive themselves.

They believe in God.

They trust Jesus.

But when they look at their own life,

they whisper a quiet fear:

“Maybe God can forgive everyone else…

but not me.”

And that is exactly where today’s Gospel speaks.

Friends carry a paralytic to Jesus.

They bring him—

not because the man is strong—

but because they believe.

And Jesus looks at this man,

this man who cannot move,

this man who cannot fix himself,

and says the most tender words a human heart can hear:

“Courage, child… your sins are forgiven.”

The scribes call it blasphemy.

But Jesus knows their hearts.

He knows ours too.

He knows how easily we doubt mercy.

So He shows us what mercy looks like in motion:

“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

The man rises.

Not because he earned it.

Not because he proved anything.

But because forgiveness is God’s free gift,

and healing is God’s deepest desire.

If you struggle to forgive yourself,

hear Jesus speak to you today:

“Courage, child.”

Mercy is already reaching for you.

Let Him lift what you cannot.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, 

Speak courage into the places 

I cannot forgive. 

Lift the burdens 

I carry against myself. 

Let Your mercy move 

where my strength cannot. 

Heal what is paralyzed 

within my heart. 

Teach me Your forgiveness.

Renew me  by Your grace.

Amen