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2ndSunday of Easter, Cycle B
Terranova Hermitage
April 8, 2018
To Seekers, One and All!
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Doubting Thomas?
In more recent years, I have begun to dislike the expression doubting Thomas.
I and many of us have heard this expression and maybe even used it. We might call others a doubting Thomas,if they refuse to believe something.
Obviously, this expression is based on the Gospel story that we just heard. Thomas refuses to believe, unless he sees and touches Jesus.
But then, Thomas ends up making one of the most beautiful professions of faith. He calls Jesus, “My Lord and my God.”
Still, our tradition has dubbed him doubting Thomas. In a way, we have looked down upon him and his faith as being less than the other disciples.
Seeking Thomas
Well, as I said, I have begun to dislike the expression doubting Thomas.
I think it would be much better to refer to him as seeking Thomas.After all, Thomas isn’t closed to believing in the risen Christ.
In fact, he wants to believe and he is seekingfaith or else he would not have been with the disciples on that Sunday following the resurrection. So, I think that Thomas stands as a good example for all those who are seekingto understand more about God.
Our Seeking
Today some authors, including some Catholic authors, tell us that many people experience this same sort of seekingin their own faith.
These scholars tell us that this seekingshould really be seen, not as a lack of faith, but as a stage or a dimension of faith. I agree with that, and from my own experience in ministry, I see persons of faith seekingor questioning in a number of ways. I myself have done this.
For example, some who are seekingmay question certain sections of the Bible. They might ask, “How can the image of a militant and vengeful God in parts of the Old Testament harmonize with the picture of a merciful and forgiving God that Jesus presents?”
Or, some who are seekingmay question the designation of God only as Father. After all, isn’t God the source and creator of both genders and doesn’t that say something about the identity of God?
Or again, some who are seekingmay question why our Church or any Church or religion would say that those who are not part of that community will not be saved? Didn’t Jesus bring salvation to all people and isn’t the mystery of heaven and of God’s love bigger than anything we can grasp or imagine?
I have listened to those seekingand have heard these and other questions. As I said before, some of them have been my own. They also may be yours?
So, I suggest that it is better not to look upon those are seekingas in some way less or to call them doubting Thomases. Rather, it is better to see this seekingas a dimension of faith that some of us experience.
Conclusion
I want to conclude with two small points that are really like two sides of one coin.
First, it is important for any of us who are seekingto stick with a community of faith. Being part of a church can really help us, especially when we are seeking.
Jesus knew that we need a community for our journey of faith. He intended the Church to support and guide us positively in our journey, especially when we are in a seekingmode.
And second which is really the other side of the coin, we as a Church need to take the approach of Jesus in today’s Gospel.
Jesus engages Thomas and he does this right in the community of the disciples. The result is that Thomas receives satisfaction to his seekingand he is able to come to believe.
Well, we, as a Church or as a parish, we also need to be engaging. This means that we need to be welcoming and including and respecting of those who are seeking.
This is the way that we as Church can provide a safe and nourishing spiritual space, free of coercion or guilt-tripping.
It is the best way that we can empower everyone and especially those who are seekingto come to a satisfying faith and come to place on our own lips the words of Thomas “My Lord and my God.”
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