the love that knows no bounds
"His answer was, 'I will never believe it without probing the nailprints in His hands, without putting my finger in the nailmarks and my hand into His side.' " —John 20:25
It was unreasonable for Thomas to make his examination of Jesus' wounds a prerequisite for believing in Jesus' resurrection. No one, including Thomas, has the right to examine the wounds of Jesus or of anyone. Nevertheless, Jesus fulfilled Thomas' unreasonable request. Jesus goes to extremes to love and save us. His Incarnation, His crucifixion and death, the gift of His body and blood, His repeated forgiveness and mercy, and His humility in acceding to many of our unreasonable demands are amazing indications that His love for us knows no bounds.
Yet some people are so blinded that they don't recognize the Lord's extreme love. Others are so callous that they presumptuously think that they can delay their conversion to the Lord because He'll keep giving them chances to repent. However, others respond to the Lord's radical love for them as Thomas eventually responded. They cry out to Jesus with their whole being: "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28)
The Lord has created us to love us. He has been pursuing us for years. He is madly in love with us. Will you love Him? Love Him with all your heart (Mt 22:37). Accept Jesus as your Lord and God.
Prayer: God, Who is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), I love You. I will live and die for You.
Promise: "Through Him the whole structure is fitted together and takes shape as a holy temple in the Lord; in Him you are being built into this temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit." —Eph 2:21-22
Praise: St. Thomas' words to his fellow disciples, "Let us go along, to die with Him (Jesus)" (Jn 11:16), serve as a model for disciples of all time. Thomas did follow Jesus to his own death as a martyr in India.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, December 4, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 10, 2001