Universal Utterings®
for July 3, 2024

A Godcast ® brought to you by

God First Ministries, Inc. 501c3

WWW.UNIVERSALUTTERINGS.COM

07-03-2024 John 20 V-2429 Doubting Thomas Came to Believe

http://universalutterings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/07-03-2024-John-20-V-2429-Doubting-Thomas-Came-to-Believe.mp3

The Book of John 20 v- 24 thru 29

24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

I once found myself in a place of deep doubt, much like Thomas in the Gospel of John. Surrounded by the pleasures of the world, I chose immediate gratification over lasting charity. The notion of Salvation through Jesus Christ seemed distant, almost an illusion. I was not unlike Thomas, who, despite the fervent testimonies of his fellow disciples, demanded tangible proof of Christ’s Resurrection.

“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,” Thomas declared. In my own way, I echoed his skepticism, needing something real and undeniable to shift my heart.

Then, in a moment that could only be described as divine intervention, Jesus reached out to me. It was as if He asked me directly to become a teacher of His children. He revealed to me His Real Presence in the Eucharist. In that sacred encounter, I was transformed. No longer was I a doubting Thomas. My eyes were opened, and my heart was filled with a new conviction: Jesus is the only way to conquer sin.

Much like Thomas, who fell to his knees proclaiming, “My Lord and my God,” I found myself utterly awestruck by this revelation. Jesus then spoke to me in a voice that transcended time and space, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” I knew then that faith was not just about seeing but about trusting in His love, His faith, and the hope of His redemptive grace.

Compelled by this newfound belief, I felt a calling to serve His Kingdom here on earth. I began to live out the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, ministering to the least, the lonely, and the languished. Feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the prisoners, and burying the dead became not just actions but manifestations of my faith.

Simultaneously, I embraced the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy. I committed to instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful, admonishing sinners, bearing wrongs patiently, forgiving offenses willingly, comforting the afflicted, and praying for the living and the dead. Each act was a step closer to embodying the teachings of Christ, a step away from my former life of doubt and denial.

In serving others, I found a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment that I had never known before. As I extended my hand to the least, the lonely, and the languished, I felt the transformative power of Christ's love working through me. Each act of mercy, whether corporal or spiritual, drew me closer to Him and solidified my faith. No longer was I driven by doubt or the fleeting pleasures of the world; instead, I was anchored in the eternal truth of Jesus Christ's Salvation. By embracing His call to serve, I discovered the true essence of discipleship and the unshakeable joy of living in His grace. My journey from skepticism to faith has not only redeemed my soul but has also allowed me to become a beacon of His love and compassion in a world desperately in need of hope. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

07-03-2024 John 20 v-2429

**Doubting Thomas Came to Believe**

In a room of shadows and fears that made Thomas pout,

The disciples spoke, "He has risen, there's no doubt."

But Thomas, with a skeptic's heart,

Demanded proof, a tangible part.

"Unless I see the nail marks, touch His side,

I'll not believe," he firmly cried.

A week passed by, and in that room,

The risen Christ dispelled the gloom.

"Thomas," Jesus said, "look, see and touch,

Do not doubt, believe in Me much."

Thomas, awestruck, knelt and declared,

"My Lord and my God," his faith repaired.

Jesus replied with a gentle grace,

"Blessed are those who, without sight, Me embrace."

Faith unspoken, yet deeply known,

In hearts where seeds of trust are eternally sown. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

July 3, 2024 @ 05:27 AM EST

® Universal Utterings is brought to you by;

**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using [email protected], mailed to 1350 Aldo Rd. Babson Park, FL 33827, or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**