Today’s Gospel tells us the apostle Thomas had difficulty believing Jesus really had risen from the dead, and had visited the other apostles. Although the members of the community had testified to the Resurrection, he didn’t completely accept their word. He didn’t believe until he actually saw Jesus for himself and could touch his wounds (see John 20:19-31). Isn’t it true we all of us have a little bit of Thomas in us? An example of this might be the way the teachings of our faith, and what we know to be right about living the Christian life, are sometimes difficult for us to believe or to accept. Like Thomas, and before we completely believe, we might desire to have concrete proof about some or another dogma and/or instruction from those who guide us in the faith. In a sense, we may want to “touch the wounds” before we believe! As we contemplate this Gospel story, it may inspire us to think about our personal willingness (or not) to accept the tenets of our commonly held faith. We may then wish to give some thought to the communal nature of the Catholic faith we share, and in the manner that we give witness to it.
The people of the early church (and even Thomas himself) moved beyond “doubts” and they shared together a vibrant communal faith life. For example, today’s first reading tells us “the faithful devoted themselves to the apostles’ instruction and the communal life, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (see The Acts of the Apostles 2:42). As we reflect on this passage, we might ask ourselves the following questions: How do we continue these traditions today? Are we faithful to the reading of the Scriptures and to the teachings of the church? Are we loyal to our brothers and sisters in faith? Do we participate with joy and reverence in the Eucharistic celebration? Do we have strong personal prayer lives? Are we faithful to the sense of community recalled by this passage?
It seems to me today’s “world” often promotes values starkly different from what’s presented in the story of the Acts of the Apostles. For this reason we recall that even Thomas himself may have remained in that “world” had he not “seen and believed.” Today’s “world” tells us we need not follow the wisdom of the ages, especially that of the Christian faith described in the Scriptures and handed down by the traditions of our faith. “The world” in contrast seems to tell us we need only to be faithful to what we believe to be important for our own needs and personal enrichment. This same “world” also seems to tell us the guidance of other people isn’t necessarily relevant (in other words, it’s likely better for us to find our own way and to go with it). The philosophy of “the world” often seems especially antagonistic about the unselfish value and good of serving others (that is, unless there is some kind of profit attached to it!).
My friends, as in today’s Gospel, let’s stand with those who have not seen and who still believe (but if like Thomas we need a little extra motivation to overcome our doubts, let’s strive to make that happen too). As people of faith, we believe because we have seen the power of the Risen Lord alive in the lives and deeds of our sisters and brothers in the community. As we carefully try to discern the “wisdom” of “the world” (and to reject it when necessary), let’s remain faithful to Jesus. And let’s always and enthusiastically proclaim it to those, like Thomas, who might doubt and/or who have not yet come to faith!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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