Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A reflection on the Gospel of John 20:19-31
Dear friends in Christ,
There once was a man named David. For over twenty years, he had built a solid career—an expert in his field, respected, reliable, always the first to arrive and the last to leave. But then, without warning, he was let go. At first, David was sure another job would come quickly; after all, he had experience and skills. But weeks turned to months, and door after door closed in his face.
In that long season of waiting, as uncertainty crept in, David’s wife Anne was diagnosed with a serious illness. Suddenly, the reason for his unemployment became clear. God had placed him at home for this very moment—to care for Anne, to be her rock, to offer comfort only a loving husband could give. David surrendered his anxiety and whispered, “Jesus, I trust in You.” In time, Anne’s health improved, and David was led to a new job, one that allowed him to help not only his family, but others in need, too. Looking back, he saw God’s hand guiding him, every step of the way, through disappointment to hope.
From Fear and Doubt to Faith and Trust: The Journey of Thomas and the Disciples
This story, friends, is not so different from the journey of the disciples in our Gospel today. They are locked away in fear, their lives turned upside down by loss and bewilderment. Jesus, the one they trusted, had died. Their hopes seemed finished. Yet into that locked room, Jesus appears, speaking words that must have sounded almost impossible: “Peace be with you.” He shows them His wounds—the marks of His suffering and love—and the disciples rejoice. But Thomas isn’t there. When the others tell him, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas cannot bring himself to believe. Maybe he’s protecting himself from more heartbreak. Maybe he’s just being honest about his doubts.
Isn’t Thomas’ struggle our own? We want to trust, but life’s wounds and disappointments make it hard. Like David, like the disciples, we long for certainty. And yet, Jesus returns, just for Thomas, and invites him to touch His wounds. He doesn’t scold or shame him. He simply says, “Do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas responds with one of the most beautiful acts of faith in all of Scripture: “My Lord and my God!” In that moment, Thomas surrenders his doubts, his need to control, and places his trust in Jesus. The Lord then speaks to all of us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Trusting in Jesus: Embracing Divine Mercy in Every Moment
What does it mean to trust in Jesus? It means surrendering our plans, our fears, our need to know every answer, and letting God be God. It means believing, even when we cannot see the whole picture. St. John Paul II once wrote, “Do not be afraid. Open, open wide the doors to Christ!” Trusting in Jesus does not mean everything will go the way we want. It means we believe He is with us, that even our setbacks and losses can become places of grace.
David’s story reminds us that God’s timing and will may not always make sense in the moment. The disciples’ fear and Thomas’ doubt remind us that faith is not a one-time decision, but a daily act of trust. Jesus does not promise a life free from suffering, but He does promise His presence—His peace—in the midst of it. He breathes on the disciples, giving them the Holy Spirit, empowering them to forgive, to love, to go forth. That same Spirit is given to us.
So how do we live this out, especially on this day—Divine Mercy Sunday—when the Church invites us to ponder the infinite mercy of Christ? How do we practice trust in Jesus, especially when things seem locked against us? Today, we are reminded that Jesus’ mercy is not just a distant promise; it is here, now, reaching into the locked rooms of our lives.
First, we pray, even simply: “Jesus, I trust in You.” This is the very heart of Divine Mercy—surrendering to the love and compassion Jesus pours out from His wounded side. We say it when we wake, when we face challenges, when we struggle to understand. This prayer, short and direct, becomes an anchor for our souls, especially on days when we feel adrift.
And on this Divine Mercy Sunday, we are especially invited to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, just as St. Faustina did. This powerful prayer echoes the same trust, offering Jesus our needs, our hopes, and the whole world: “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” The Chaplet is a way to place our trust in God’s mercy and to ask that His love and healing be poured out upon us and those we love.
Second, we look for God’s presence in the ordinary. Maybe, like David, we discover that the unexpected path is the one God needed us to walk. Maybe, like Thomas, we find Jesus meeting us in our doubt, not with condemnation, but with compassion. Divine Mercy is about recognizing that Jesus enters our locked spaces and offers us His peace, again and again.
Sharing Divine Mercy: Trust Transforms Our Hearts and Our World
Divine Mercy Sunday reminds us—and every day calls us—to share the mercy we have received with others through forgiveness, kindness, and love.
Let’s remember: trusting in Jesus changes us. It gives us courage when we feel weak. It opens our hearts to forgive and to hope. And it lets us say, with Thomas, “My Lord and my God,” not because we have all the answers, but because we know the One who does.
So today, let’s echo David’s prayer, the prayer of so many saints before us: “Jesus, I trust in You.” When doors are locked, when the way is unclear, when doubt creeps in, may we always return to trust. For in God’s time, and in His love, all things work together for good.
Together, we thank our Lord for His mercy, for the gift of Jesus and the Holy Spirit who brings us peace. May we go forth, trusting in Him, living each day in that blessed assurance that we are never alone.
Jesus, I trust in You—today, tomorrow, and always. Amen.
About Our Guest Blogger
Saint Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
