Do you ever have doubts, even about a sure thing? There are few things that we really know for certain that will happen in life. Even in certainty, doubt can still creep in.  

 

This weekend the church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. We read in Matthew's last few verses, that Jesus gives His disciples the great commission to baptize all in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and that He would be with them always. It's an affirming passage, but there's one phrase that jumps out in verse 17. We read, "When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted." But they doubted. After all they had witnessed the miracles, the healings the dying and rising°how could they still doubt? 

Actually, the Greek word that is used in this verse can also be translated as "some doubted". This wording is found in many other translations of the bible other than the New American Bible translation that we use for our readings at Mass. But even if only some doubted, and not all, that still begs the question "why"? And what does that mean for us today?  

Maybe the doubt of some of the disciples was a recognition that we experience doubt in our faith lives, particularly when we face some trial or adversity. None of us are perfect, including the disciples and the saints that have all gone before us. We are sinners, and Satan likes to work on us to cast doubt, worry despair, and division. To combat this doubt we must be fervent in prayer, devoted in worship, and persistent in our faith. Jesus allayed the disciples doubt by reminding them that He would be with them always, even in their times of doubt, trial and suffering. It's that faith that He IS with us always that keeps us going. When doubt begins to creep into your life, say to Jesus as the father did in Mark, chapter 9, "I do believe, help me in my unbelief!"  

Mary Perez has faced many challenges in her life. She is a cancer survivor, disabled and requires the assistance of a mobility scooter because she is unable to walk. She has also been homeless. Despite these and other difficulties, she never lost faith in God.

“I always trusted in God,” said Perez.

Her life changed forever when she was able to find safe, permanent housing at Ozanam Village, an apartment community in New Port Richey built by St. Vincent de Paul CARES.

Father Israel "Izzie" Hernandez celebrated his first Mass at his home parish of Our Lady of the Rosary in Land O'Lakes on Sunday, May 16. Father Izzie was ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, May 15. Click here or on the image above to see more photos from the Mass courtesy of Rob Gale. 

Memorial Day is Monday, May 31. On this day we remember, honor, and pray for those who made the ultimate sacrifice to help maintain the freedoms that we enjoy as citizens of the United States.