Another revealing conversation between Jesus and the disciple who doubted was that of Thomas, who for ever seems to be saddled with the label, ‘Doubting Thomas.’ I wonder, how do we respond to Thomas? With laughter, scorn, sympathy or with fellow-feeling? Perhaps if we follow through the scene with Thomas, we might learn much about faith and about ourselves.
When Thomas says, "Unless....I will not believe", what do we hear in that voice? A Hard man? A skeptic? I've been hurt once and won't let it happen again? We see that Thomas lacked faith in his brothers and sisters. His independent mindedness refused to accept their word, wanting to reach his own conclusions for himself.
Whatever was going on in Thomas' heart was put to rights on meeting Jesus afresh. How does this speak to us? This is the Resurrection from the point of view of a sceptic who won't simply take the word of others. If I am to be a Christian I am called to belong to others - to grow in trust of them if I am to grow in faith in God.
Right at the end of Jesus' interaction with Thomas, we read a verse of encouragement for all stumbling followers of Jesus, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
May we be able to say, although I have not seen yet I have come to believe. Jesus speaks of me in this gospel and blesses me.
Jesus,
We dare to believe in the things we cannot see:
In your love for us
In your love for those around us
In the hope of eternity.
We dare to believe that another world is possible
That suffering can end
That we can play a part
In the kingdom to come.
We dare to believe in heaven on earth
In the light breaking through
In justice made new
In your love for us. Amen
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