May Day

This year May First, "MAY DAY" carries for Marists a full load: It is the Second Sunday of Easter, and thanks to Pope John Paul II, beatified this day, Divine Mercy Sunday. It is also the anniversary of Br. Marie Florentius, founder of Central Catholic High School, Lawrence, MA, who was found dead in his bedroom on this day in 1938. It is usually the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, but who, in his usual humble fashion, slips far into the background until next year when May 1st will fall on a weekday. And finally, it is the beginning of the month of May, traditionally dedicated to Mary, our Good Mother. Whew! Tying all these commemorations together, we might contrast today's Gospel story of "Doubting Thomas" with these great people of FAITH: Pope John Paul, Sr. Faustina, originator of devotion to Divine Mercy, Brother Florentius, St. Joseph, and Mary, the Mother of God. Thomas had to insert his fingers into the wounds of Jesus before he believed, but in so doing, evoked the encouraging words of Jesus, "Blessed are those who have not seen, but have believed." (Jn 20:20). These people are among the the non-seers, and so are we. How deep is our faith? Most probably we are somewhere between Thomas and these greats and can honestly admit that we "need work." Let us take some time, then, today, to re-read the Thomas story, review what we know of JP II and the others, look at events in our past where God has practially shown us his wounds to grow our faith, and pray the simple prayer, "Lord, I do believe; help my unbelief until I can say with all confidence, 'Jesus I believe and trust in you.'"
Bro, Rene