One of the most beautiful stories of the Bible is the narrative of the visit of the faithful women to consecrate the body of the buried Jesus after His crucifixion. Their love for Christ pushed them to wake up before the dawn, prepare the ointments to be used for the consecration of the body (according to the tradition of the time) and journey in the dark allies of the city to the tomb. One can only imagine how dangerous and risky it was for these God-fearing women. They were, however, determined to find the Lord. We all know the story of how the women discover the empty tomb, which leads them to the glorious moment of meeting the risen Lord. Indeed, it is thanks to their determination to find the Lord, that the great message of the resurrection has been resounding and changing millions of lives around the world for 21 centuries.

Their story, however, is powerfully contrasted with that of one of the twelve apostles of the Lord, Thomas. Unlike a few of the women in the group who went to anoint the Lord’s body about whom we do not hear anything in the Bible, Thomas is one of the twelve closest people to Christ. He, however, happens to be out of town when the glorious news of the resurrection of Jesus becomes public. In fact, He furthermore misses the risen Lord’s visitation to the Apostles narrated in (Matthew 20:19). The women and Apostles excitedly greet Thomas when he returns saying, "We have seen the Lord.” Thomas, however, responds with what truly defines the difference between faith and knowledge. He replies to their proclamation saying, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails, and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” The Apostle was looking for a tangible and physical proof in order to believe. A week later, when Thomas has already returned and was with the Apostles, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you.” "Thomas, put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. And do not doubt, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said him saying, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

There are those amongst us who, like the apostle Thomas, seek visible proofs in order to believe, not realizing that belief by definition is holding a cognitive content as true. It is the state of mind, act, or condition of placing trust or confidence in something or someone. As children we develop our trust in our parents because we experience their care and concern for us and feel their reciprocal love toward us. As Christians we are raised being sensitive to the God’s care for us through His creating and redeeming acts, and His love expressed most powerfully on the cross. Our worldly concerns and priorities usually desensitize as against God’s love and care. Praying, fasting and doing God’s will are essential tools of communicating with God and allowing out mind and heart to experience God’s love and as such develop the trust-based relationship we call faith, or Christianity.

In a few days Armenians, together with millions of Christians around the world, will celebrate Easter, the anniversary of the discovery of the empty tomb – the resurrection of Christ. Are you still one of those seeking for tangible and material proof? I hope deep in your heart and mind you belong to the millions of believers concerning whom Christ said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Christ is risen! Happy Easter.