The inclusion of all the peoples of the earth in God's plan of salvation was earth shaking news in the days of Paul the Apostle. God was no longer confined to a nation, territory, people. We might think that this is obvious and is no longer news, but many people have not taken this news into their minds and hearts. Whenever we exclude people from God's mercy and blessings, we smother the unveiled mystery that Paul was so anxious to reveal. It truly is good news - let us continue to make it so. Our faith is rooted in the living Jesus.

The resurrection was just as difficult to believe in the first century as it is today. And Thomas was not buying into the story related to him by the other Apostles. Jesus is alive, indeed! But when the Lord appeared and invited Thomas to touch His wounds and the hole in His side, Thomas was overwhelmed and expressed his full faith in Jesus. Jesus' apparition to Thomas in the midst of the disciples' is Christ's way of meeting the very doubt we carry within us in a personal way. But having proof does not equal faith. We do not live in the time of the disciples, and we have to make that journey of faith and surrender in order to experience the Risen Lord. The words still hold true - even more so today - blessed are those who have not seen but believe.