From Doubt to Confession

“Thomas answered and said to him,

‘My Lord and my God!’” 

John 20:28 

Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle

 

St. Thomas is usually given a bad reputation with the nickname of “Doubting Thomas.” Yes, Thomas doubted when his brothers told him that Jesus is alive and has resurrected. But that does not define him as a person. Earlier on when Jesus was speaking with His Apostles, assuring them that there are many dwelling places in His Father’s house and that where He is going, they know the way.  At this Thomas asked, “Master we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”  At this Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Because of Thomas’ questioning, Jesus made a profound statement that is commonly quoted today. This statement was a statement of identity.

 

Questioning and doubting does not always signify something bad or weakness. It can be a sign of a desire to deepen one’s trust and faith. When we want to get to know someone better we ask him or her questions. So, Thomas questioned. He wanted to know more. He wanted to know the way, and Jesus reminded Him and enlightened his mind, telling him that He is the way, and the truth, and the life. Jesus revealed to Thomas who He was and His relationship to the Father. Yes, Thomas may have made a statement of doubt after Jesus rose from the dead, but he later made a great confession, proclaiming Christ as, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas remembered what Jesus said when he saw Him and he was moved to conversion and into a deeper relationship with Jesus.  He went from not knowing the way, to not only knowing that Jesus was His Lord but that He was also His God.  May we grow ever deeper in our trust and faith in the Lord.  



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Prodigal Son and Our Belovedness in the Father, Part I

Selections from Part I of a talk I gave on the Parable of the Prodigal Son Younger son (YS) – “give me” mentality, I deserve my inheritance, it belongs to me – I take; “The son is as impatient as the father was kind” (Peter Chrysologus).   (Grasping and grabbing)   Really saying to the Father:  “I wish you were dead.”  It is usually only when someone dies that we receive inheritance. Imagine what takes place during those few days before the son leaves.   When the son leaves and sets off to a distant country, he is not only leaving home, but he is leaving himself.   He wishes to leave his identity behind.   He wants to be his own person.   How often are we tempted by this?   “Be somebody” the world tells us.   Somebody powerful, rich, and famous.   Be somebody.   We are already somebody.   We are God’s beloved.   Each one of us.   We are loved by the Father from all eternity.   “I have loved you with...
Read more

The Prodigal Son and Our Belovedness in the Father, Part II

Selections from Part II of a talk I gave on the Parable of the Prodigal Son Part II: The Encounter – Reconciliation and Communion “His father caught sight of him.”   What was the father doing all this time?   When the son petitioned to leave, the Father did not plead and cling on to the son.   He lets him go, not because he did not love him.   But because the Father loved him.   In loving him, the Father allowed the son to act in freedom and exercise his free will.   The father said, “Okay, here is your share.   If you want to, you can go.   I will not stop you. The world is not pretty.   It can only offer you temporary comfort and happiness.   You can go, but know that when you go, you will experience pain and suffering.   You will experience a profound sense of loss and lacking.   You will be hurt.   You will be rejected.   But you can go.   Go, but know that this will always be your home.   You ma...
Read more

People of One Heart and Mind

The portrait painted about the early Church by St. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles was one that expressed unity and communion.  We are told that "the community of believers was of one heart and mind" (Acts 4:32).  Then we are given a description of how they had put that "one heart and mind" into action - by sharing their time, talent, and treasure.  They were able to do so because they had one mission and were One in the Father. Are we a people of one heart and one mind?  This means do we have God in our hearts?  Do we root our identity and all that we do in the Father and His love?  Then we must ask do we see our mission as one.  The mission Jesus gave to His disciples was to proclaim the Good News to all nations and creatures.  This Good News is the Resurrection.  This Good News is the hope of eternal life.  This Good News is the ransom paid for our freedom from slavery to sin.  This Good News is the love of the Father. ...
Read more

When Jesus Descended into Hell

Image
"Cercate il Suo Volto" is Italian for "Seek His Face" (see Ps. 27:8). I first heard of the Italian phrase from the "Abba Pater" album by Pope John Paul II.  It was the first track of the album.  My high school Junior Theology teacher had introduced me to it and gave me a copy of it.  I am very grateful to him because it opened up for me a more in-depth interest, studying of, and reading of the Scriptures.  And, of course listening to the Pope recite it with inspiring and motivational music in the background made it all the better (not that the Word itself isn't good enough, but you know what I mean!).  Anyways, so why am I bringing this verse from Psalm 27 up?  "Seek His Face." On Holy Thursday we read in the Gospel that Jesus gave the Apostles an example of humble service and true leadership.  To serve is to lead, with love at its core.  On Good Friday we read the Passion Narrative where we hear Our Lord cry in fulfillment of the prophec...
Read more

Giving What We Have

Image
Maybe sometimes we feel that we do not have much to give.  And so we do not give at all.   Peter and John knew that they themselves did not have much and could not give to the lame man what he was asking for, but they did know they had something else to give: the gift of faith.  In fact what they had to give was much more important and impactful than silver or gold.  What they had to offer seemed useless and impractical to the world - words? faith? "How can that fill my stomach?"  "How can that change my situation right now?" The lame man in the reading today (Acts 3:1-10) begged for alms, looked at Peter and John, and expected to receive something from them.  The Apostles said to him, " Look at us ," and Peter said " I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you ." We are told that the man expected to receive something from them - perhaps what he has been begging for: money.  I can just imagine this man sitting by the gate day ...
Read more