The touch of the Nailmarks to Experience the Lord

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week : Monday*

*Solemnity of St Thomas the Apostle : The Apostle of India*

*Gospel : Jn 20:24–29*

*First Reading : Eph 2:19–22*

*The touch of the Nailmarks to Experience the Lord*

*1) Thomas and the Nail Marks of Jesus*

In the Gospel of the day, we have a scene where St Thomas is insisting to touch the Nail Marks of Jesus, to have first hand experience of the Lord 

Since He was absent when Jesus appeared to the disciples, he was not able to have the experience of the Lord 

*2) Jesus allows Him to touch the Nailmarks*

According to the wish of St Thomas, Jesus allowed him to touch the Nailmarks on the hand and also in the side of Jesus, to have the experience of the Risen Lord 

Thomas got the opportunity to touch the Nailmarks and to have the first hand experience of the Risen Lord 

*3) Jesus Nailmarks in today's Context*

The Nailmarks which are found in the hands and legs of Jesus are found in the mystical body of Jesus 

The Entire Church is the Mystical Body of Jesus and we can find plenty of nail marks in the body of Jesus 

We need to touch these Nailmarks in the mystical body of Jesus to have the first hand experience of the our Lord 

*4) Various Nailmarks in the Mystical body of Jesus*

These things could be considered as the Nailmarks of the mystical body of Jesus 

The marks created by the terminal illness among the people 

The poor who are suffering because of the exploitation of the rich 

The victims of hatred, greed, revenge, selfishness, ignorance, helplessness, and injustice

Those people who are exploited as slaves, either for physical work, or for flesh trade or for various other things 

Those people who are vulnerable for various situation and crisis in life 

All these can be considered as the nail marks in the mystical body of Jesus 

*5) Am I able to touch these Nailmarks?*

Touching of these Nailmarks for duel purposes 

First one : to get first hand experience of the Nailmarks itself and to understand how deep the Nailmark is 

Secondly : To help the other, so that the pain of the Nailmarks can be cured in some way or the other 

So the challenge is, am I ready to touch the Nailmarks? 

*6) Christian Spirituality and the Nailmarks*

Our spirituality consists in identifying the Nailmarks in the mystical body of Jesus and to touch them with the intension of getting to know the reality and to render our services

By doing that, we will be filled with the experience of the Lord, which will help us to build the Kingdom of God, here on Earth

So what is my response?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*