Tractatus Alter, Pars Prior, Cap. 14. De apparitione Christi coram sancto Thoma apostolo in octava paschae.

Tractatus Alter, Pars Prior, Cap. 14. De apparitione Christi coram sancto Thoma apostolo in octava paschae.

I bless you and give thanks to you, Lord Jesus Christ, author of life, giver of forgiveness, infuser of grace, and promise of future glory with the holy angels in eternal bliss, for your kind appearance before all your apostles, especially now in the presence of your apostle Thomas, who doubted, to strengthen him in the true and right faith through the vision and touch of your glorious body adorned with the five sacred wounds, in memory of your most sacred passion for our salvation. I praise and honor you for your joyful greeting and open vision, with the heavenly blessing by which you blessed your apostles through your holy mouth and cheerful face, saying to them: "Peace be with you here and in the future." Now indeed, through faith and grace, later on through sight and clear vision. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Stay in my love and persevere with me, and I will remain with you here and forever. I praise and glorify you, Jesus Christ, revered teacher and Lord, for your friendly announcement of peace and your honorable presence in the midst of your disciples, keeping them safe from the fear of the Jews. Because, just as a good shepherd stands in the midst of his flock to defend them from the jaws of wolves, so you did with your apostles on the day of troubles, comforting them against adversities for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. And just as a powerful and noble king stands armed in the midst of his people, holding a spear and shield against the enemy's darts, comforting his soldiers to fight bravely, either to win or to die honorably, so you stood, O most valiant Jesus, warrior against demons and wicked men, in the midst of your disciples, clothed in the robe of joy and the armor of immortality, holding as a sign of truth the wounds of your passion like open wounds in the shield of your body, through which you defeated the rulers and authorities of this world to strengthen your soldiers, the apostles, in faith, hope, and love, who were previously very timid in the face of your passion, the cross, and death, and the burial of your body in the hard rock, firmly sealed. Who among men would have thought you would rise again after seeing so many deaths in you, bound and marked? And so, the beloved disciples should not despair. You, who have not yet been confirmed in faith, appeared to them visibly, with the sacred and glorious wounds of your body miraculously left in you as a testimony to your true resurrection, so that they would believe and not doubt about your appearance, saying to them: "Touch and see, for I am Jesus Christ, who hung for you on the cross and rose on the third day by divine power, as I have often told you openly, but you did not understand clearly at that time." So now, look at my hands and my feet, and consider especially the five wounds of my passion, so that you can meditate on them day and night, how much I have loved you and how much I have endured for your eternal salvation. Peace be with you, my friends, you who despise the world, for whom I have prepared eternal joys in heaven with the holy angels. There are many dangers in this present life. Don't be afraid, don't lose hope; I am your reward, your support, and your blessing. Amen. A prayer to obtain the peace of heart that Christ offered to His disciples. O sweet Lord Jesus Christ, King of heaven and earth, true peace of hearts and comforter of the grieving, I ask You, speak to my troubled and desolate soul, as You know better: I am Your salvation, Your peace, Your life, Your comfort, Your hope, Your light, and Your rest. In me is all your good, the true comfort of the soul, every joy and endless delight. What do you want more? Nothing, Lord; I want only you, I seek you, I desire you, I love you deeply, I praise and bless you in all things and above all things, always and everywhere. You govern all things in heaven and on earth, in the sea and in all the depths, in the mountains and in the forests, and every creature, both small and great, is known and clear to you. You made all things in wisdom, and by your providence, all things are governed. O peace of God, O clear knowledge of my Creator, which surpasses all human and angelic understanding, when will You come to me? O when will you fill me inside and out, so that I desire nothing more? Lord God, my heart is restless until it rests in you. The mind is troubled until it is perfectly united with you in eternal life. O peace, how sweet and desirable is your name in all the earth. How joyful and delightful is your voice in the heavenly homeland. O true, supreme, eternal peace with God, with the holy angels, and with all people of good will. Grant me peace, Lord, in my heart, so that I may love you above all things; grant me peace in my mouth, so that I may praise you devoutly; grant me peace in my hands, so that I may always do good works for your honor. Tell me, when I'm feeling sad: Peace be with you, I am here, don't be afraid. Peace be with you; nothing is more pleasant to hear than this. I am here; nothing is happier to possess than this. Don’t be afraid; nothing is more secure to rejoice in than this. Behold, I am with you; nothing is sweeter to enjoy than this, every day until the end of the age. Nothing is more certain and steadfast to believe in and obtain eternal life. O Lord, whatever I have, whatever I see and desire, is all nothing without You. In you alone is all my good; nothing is better, nothing is more perfect, nothing is richer, nothing is happier. Therefore, all my hope, all my being, all my salvation, and all my peace are in you, God; I seek them in you alone, and not in any other created good, no matter how beautiful, noble, or great it may be. So I say and pray with the holy and humble Francis: My God and everything, I desire nothing more. If I ever find myself in great distress and deprived of inner goodness and comfort, I say again and pray: My God and all things, I desire nothing more. I desire nothing more, I long for nothing except You, my God, who are everything in all things and above all things, blessed forever. Lord, grant that I may think on these things with intent and always fulfill them with devotion. Amen. &