Are you an instrument of belief?

Al-Massiah Qam! Hakan Qam!

Christ is Risen!  Indeed He is Risen!

In the gospel of St. John, chapter 20, we learn that eight days after the Apostle Thomas doubted Christ’s resurrection… Christ, Himself miraculously appeared before him and the other Apostles, and  immediately Thomas’ doubt was transformed…instantly making him an instrument of belief.  Thomas then took that belief, along with the other Apostles, and spread the message of the gospel throughout the whole world. 

Just like Thomas, we may also sometimes find ourselves questioning our faith, or our purpose and calling in life, or maybe even our entire belief system.  Well the good news is…is that there is nothing entirely wrong with doubt…we all doubt.  However, in our doubt, we need to guard ourselves against that doubt becoming truth.  Because doubt left un-checked, can very easily steal any faith we have…and without faith, there is no possibility of hope.  

St. Thomas is a great example to us of someone whose faith was challenged by doubt, but who was not willing to let that doubt be turned to dis-belief.  And in doing so, St. Thomas became an instrument of belief to the whole world. 

As humans, we are no differnet than St. Thomas.  So let us also allow God to continue to work in our lives…and let us not allow ourselves to give-in to any doubt we have.  But let us allow God to transform our doubts…so that we also may become  instruments of belief to all those around us. 

The following  prayer, attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, who lived in the 13th century, will help you in your daily struggle to overcome doubt.  May the glory of God and His mercy always be with you, now and ever and unto ages of ages. 

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.  Where there is hatred, let me be an instrument of love.  Where there is injury, let me be an instrument of pardon.  Where there is doubt, let me be an instrument of faith (Just like St. Thomas).  Where there is despair, let me be an instrument of hope.  Where there is darkness, evil, and sin…let me be an instrument of light.  And where there is sadness, let me be an instrument of joy.

Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled, as much as to console others; that I may not seek to be understood, as much as to understand others; and that I may not seek to be loved, as to show love to others. 

 For it is in giving that we recieve.  It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.  And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.   Amen.

Get Involved with Basilica of St. Mary

You can be an active member of the Basilica of St. Mary Livonia, we welcome all donations and offer a full list of our ministries, to bring you closer to God.

Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top