Eighth Station

EIGHTH STATION:  JESUS STRENGTHENS THE FAITH OF THOMAS

P  We adore You, O Risen Christ, and we bless You.

A  Because by Your resurrection, You have given life to the world.

R  From the Gospel according to John (Jn 20: 24-29)

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”  A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Reflection from a letter written by Pier Giorgio to Isidoro Bonini  (3/6/1925)

I cannot but give thanks to God at every moment for having given me parents, teachers, all friends, all of whom have guided me through the main path of the Faith. Imagine if in this moment in which my soul is going through this crisis, I had the misfortune of not believing; life would not be worth living for one more instant and only death would perhaps soothe every human suffering. But instead, for the one who believes, the controversies of life are not an object of depression, but serve to correct us and to energetically call us back to follow the way perhaps momentarily abandoned.

P  Let us pray

A  Oh Risen Jesus, Pier Giorgio understood that Faith is trusting You in the darkness and trials of our lives.  Help us to remember that You are closest to us at the times we feel alone and, through the power of Your resurrection, increase our faith.  Amen.

Continue to Ninth Station