There are countless difficult moments in the life of a mom…

Sleep deprivation, handling the kids’ big emotions, more housework than you have energy for, managing “all the things,” giving your all and still feeling like it’s not enough. 

And what about those moments of genuine heartbreak? Seeing your child suffer through a difficult diagnosis, the ache for more children amidst the scourge of infertility, the unexpected pregnancy you were in no way ready for, the tragedy of loss…

Did you ever imagine such trials when you first stepped out in faith in your vocation as a mom? How can your heart find peace?

Today’s Gospel recounts the resurrected Jesus appearing to his disciples and the familiar story of “doubting Thomas.” Yet I suspect it was not so much Thomas’s mind that doubted. After all, he had seen with his own eyes the kind of miracles Jesus was capable of. 

No. 

Thomas was angry, discouraged, and profoundly broken-hearted. The death of Jesus was brutal. It was his heart that needed mending. 

Yet this is the same Thomas who had once joyfully stepped out in faith to follow the Lord in his vocation. How could it have come to this? And let us not miss the most important thing about our dear Thomas. He suffered so much precisely because he loved Jesus so much. 

Has your heart as a mom ever been in such a place? Discouraged or broken hearted, because with great tenderness, you have loved so much? 

Today, Jesus comes to you as he did to Thomas, for “He heals the broken-hearted. He binds up all their wounds.” (Ps 147:3). He gives you his full attention and real presence. He sees your beautiful, tender heart, and he smiles at you. 

“Peace be with you.” (Jn 20:26). 

You see his loving gaze upon you. No one has ever looked at you like this. He knows all that you have suffered for him in love. Your eyes meet. Your heart melts, and the tears begin to stream down your face. 

He invites you to reach out to him and touch him. “Put your hand into my side.” (Jn 20:27). He smiles again as if he’s hiding a great secret. You touch him. My God! My trials and wounds there! On his own body! How can this be, and yet there is no need to ask how.

You feel in your heart something new and joyful is happening! He makes all your sufferings born out of love into something profoundly fruitful. Somehow in him they rise anew. Gazing on him, you are “blessed,” because now you see… 

…that the risen One who looks on you with such tremendous love, can do anything. All shall be well! And so your heart is at peace.