Fr. Bob's Reflection for the Second Sunday of Easter - Guest Post

In 1957, a Swedish film titled “The Seventh Seal” was released. In one memorable scene, Death appears in human form to a weary knight. What follows is a conversation about God. The knight asks, “Why does God hide Himself? He never reveals Himself. Why doesn’t He stretch out His arm and touch us?” Death simply responds, “He does not reach out. He just remains silent.” The knight continues, “That’s right. He doesn’t do anything. Sometimes I wonder if He’s really out there.” If we are honest, many of us can relate to that exchange. At some point in our lives, we have all thought like Thomas in today’s Gospel. We have wondered if God is really there; if we are alone, searching for some sign, some touch, some word of reassurance that He has not abandoned us. That raises an important question: Is there a way to become more certain in what we believe? Can anything strengthen our faith? The answer is yes. Faith, much like a muscle, grows stronger when it is exercised. When a muscle isn’t used, it weakens; over time it can even shrink. Faith works in a similar way. If we neglect it, it can wither. And, for all practical purposes, it can fade from our lives. So, one practical way to strengthen faith is simply to live it. There’s a story about a man vacationing alone in a cabin in the California mountains. He found himself lonely, restless and deeply unsettled. Something in his life felt off, and he began to believe that God had abandoned him. In desperation, he prayed. He promised God he would do whatever was asked of him – if only he could regain some peace of mind. In that quiet moment, he sensed a simple response: “Start living the Gospel. Start living the teachings of Jesus, even if you don’t fully understand them.” He made that decision. He began trying to live according to Christ’s teachings. It wasn’t easy. He stumbled at times and fell back into old habits. But that commitment slowly changed him. It brought clarity, peace and direction. Later, in an article titled “The Living Word,” he summed up the experience this way: “I learned to hear the word – and to act on it.” My friends, faith is a lot like life itself. It has peaks and valleys; its highs and lows. Even the most faithful among us have moments of doubt, just as Thomas did in today’s Gospel. Faith can flicker like a candle flame in a strong breeze. But we should also remember this: faith is like the sun. It may be hidden behind clouds or seem to set for a time, but it never disappears. It is always there. When our faith feels distant or hidden, we do not need to panic or lose heart. Instead, those moments can become opportunities – chances to show God our trust, even when certainty feels out of reach. And when faith feels especially fragile, we can take comfort in the words of Peter: “It may be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire. And so, your faith, which is more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Yours in Christ, Fr. Robert Warren, S.A. Spiritual Director