Loneliness and isolation are part of our modern experience. We can feel alone even in the midst of a crowd. If we have ever visited a new city of another country this can be even more acute. But when we belong to Jesus Christ, we are no longer strangers and aliens, but members of the household of God and heavenly citizens with the saints. We are never alone and our lives always matter. We are surrounded always by a cloud of loving but unseen witnesses - and sometimes even ones that can be seen!

Thomas is like so many of us - suspicious, cautious, and afraid of being hurt or disappointed. He wants to believe that Jesus is alive but fears that he dare not do so. Perhaps we have had similar struggles in our own faith life. Jesus invited him to see and touch, but then he chided him a bit. Its fine that he believes now that he has seen, but it's even better if he can believe in order to see. Once we take those first faltering steps of faith, we will begin to see and understand more and more. The next time we struggle with doubts, let us step forward and make a firm decision for faith - it will make a huge difference.