Think God Doesn't Care? Remember This

My favorite time of the year is summertime. It just doesn't get any better in my opinion. Everything is green, the weather is warm and people go on vacation. My favorite month is June, because school is out and we have the whole summer ahead of us to enjoy. I remember one particular day in June, however, when I woke up and looked out the window. The sun was just coming up, the birds were singing, and it was going to be another beautiful, warm day. I looked out and thought to myself, "Normally, this would make me happy. It would get me excited. But, I'm so stressed out, I can't be happy." I had financial worries, relationship worries, family worries... I was so worried I couldn't see anything but trouble on the horizon. Does this sound familiar?

I remembered that summertime day a few Sundays ago as I listened to the Gospel reading at mass. In this particular account, just as in other recent Gospel readings we've had, there was a lot of talk about doubt. In fact, most of the Gospels leading up to this one seemed to highlight this problem...the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the apostle Thomas doubting Christ had appeared to the others, everyone was doubting. And the words of this Gospel really spoke to me:

While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet (Luke 24: 36-40).

The apostles had been through a horrendous time on that Good Friday and they saw the man they loved, the man they believed was the Messiah, crucified. They saw him buried and they feared for their own lives because the Jews were plotting against them, too. You could say they had real reason to worry. But Christ rose, he was triumphant and he appeared to his apostles to bring them peace and joy. Rejoice! Celebrate! Why are you troubled? Why do questions arise in your heart? Look at me, touch me and see I am real flesh. Here, I'll even eat a piece of fish to prove it! And the apostles did believe and they did rejoice.

This message is as true for us today as it was back then. Jesus is alive and he wants us to rejoice. You may have real reasons to be discouraged, depressed or worried, and as a matter of fact if you've been through a divorce, there is no doubt you do. But are you missing the signals God is sending you in your everyday circumstances? Are you slipping into self-dependency, forgetting He will take care of everything? Contemplate His words to the apostles: Why are you troubled? Why do questions arise in your heart? Rejoice! Celebrate!

I've been through a terrible divorce and I've had plenty of problems since that time long ago but I'm still here. I'm happy. My life is not perfect but I'm happy because I know that Christ is with me. In times of distress, I know it's hard to feel God's presence. Maybe you feel that because of your divorce, God is silent and removed from your situation. That's okay, I know how you feel. But God is trying to get your attention. He wants you to stay focused on Him so you can have a reason to be joyful even in the midst of your sorrow.

So this week, I encourage you to use this Gospel reading and take some time, maybe early in the morning to reflect. Think about Mary Magdelene and the disciples and all the different times they encountered the risen Jesus and didn't recognize him or doubted his presence. And next time you receive communion, think of Jesus's words in the upper room: Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh . . . as you can see I have. Having trouble believing God is with you? Go to communion. Receive Him in the Eucharist. There you have Him personally in flesh and blood. He is there with you, and lives inside you. Find your peace and joy in this precious gift of the Eucharist.

A great book that may help you is A Heart Like His, by Thomas D. Williams. It's a beautiful book of short, daily reflections on the heart of Christ and how to make your heart more like His. With the feast of Corpus Christi approaching in June, I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and see if it doesn't help you rediscover the joy of the Easter season.

Got questions? Email me at asklisa@catholicmatch.com.