Today is the Feast of the Apostle St Thomas. It is most reassuring for us to read John's Gospel as here we are introduced to a person who is so much like ourselves. We live in the year 2003, and so we have no chance of living and working beside Jesus as we are walking on this earth over 2000 years later. Often in life, we encounter difficulties and troubles and it is extremely hard to believe that God is always there to help us. In fact sometimes things look so grim that we lose confidence and wonder if even God could possibly help us. It is times such as these when it is comforting to think about 'Doubting Thomas'. This man had lived and worked with Jesus but would only believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, if he actually put his hand into the side that had been pierced with a sword. Surely some of the most reassuring words ever written appear at the end of this gospel when Jesus says, 'Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe'. So no matter what we encounter in life, we must always remember that Jesus sees and Jesus hears. Jesus will never leave us alone if we appeal for help.