2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)
Q. 313: Did Thomas get a bum rap, being called “Doubting Thomas” for his unbelief (Jn 20:19-31)? Isn’t ‘doubt’ an absolutely normal condition of uncertainty for humans, caused by lack of evidence? (Return to INDEX page of "Didja Know?" series)
(Cycle “A" – April 3, 2005)
A. 313: Doubt and a ‘desire for certainty’ take many forms in our society. “Show me the money,” an unbelieving football professional tells his agent in scenes from the 1996 movie “Jerry McGuire.” “Show me the ring,” a long-suffering woman says impatiently to her beau, demanding concrete proof of his commitment. Missouri’s state nickname is the “Show Me” state, coined in 1899 by Congressman Willard Vandiver who could not be convinced by “frothy eloquence” alone, and wanted hard evidence.
The apostle Thomas, too, wanted “proof” that would convince his senses that Jesus is indeed risen from the dead; “show me” would be an apt description of his stance. And there is the key word, “senses” - - Thomas wanted his eyes to reveal the truth to him, and his touch to confirm that truth. He was relying on the sensory world and his physical abilities to reach the truth.
However, through the skepticism of the apostle Thomas, Jesus passed on his message to all of us: it is not our physical eyes that count, but our spiritual eyes. We are being asked to believe based on the eyewitness testimony of others. This is called “faith,” believing in something we cannot see with our normal senses. And our openness to the action of the Holy Spirit is called blessed by Jesus in the gospel - - “Blessed are they who have not seen, and have believed.” We can thank the Holy Spirit that this story about St. Thomas was preserved, so that we do not persist in unbelief.
Know Your Catechism! When we believe without “seeing,” we encounter the risen Lord and can say with Thomas, “My Lord and my God” (CCC#448). All of the disciples were doubtful, not just Thomas, and their faith was born under the action of divine grace as they experienced the reality of the risen Jesus (CCC#644). It is through believing that we have “life” in his name (CCC#514).
Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha
(Go back to Deacon Paul's HOME PAGE)
