Feast of Thomas the Apostle; John 20: 24-29

03 July 2023

Br. Christian Ventura, OPI

Priory of St. Symeon and St. John

Order of Preachers Independent

Baltimore, MD

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

In the ✠ Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

As members of the human family, it is safe to say that we have all been a “Doubting Thomas” at some point in our own spiritual journey, even if we regret to admit it. I certainly have been there, and frequently have my own theological inquiries with seemingly no clear answers. It appears normative of today’s society to become increasingly secular and atheistic. In some ways, however, it might be a foreign concept to some that doubt can actually be very healthy, if we yield to the Spirit and allow ourselves to be vulnerable in our discernment.

In today’s Holy Gospel, we see doubt as something inherently negative. Hence why the Church for many years has villainized “Doubting Thomas”, framing doubt as something to be irrefutably ashamed of. Thomas is doubtful of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, the momentous highlight of our Christian faith. That is, until Jesus appears before him and renders tangible evidence of his divinity.

We ought to ponder, however, whether the issue here is actually skepticism, or, being stubbornly relentless. It might be worth wondering whether St. Thomas’ misstep was his natural thought process, or his persistent rejection of Christ until his own criteria for belief was fulfilled.

My brothers and sisters, worry not if doubt crosses your mind. Be gentle with yourself, and pray. Hold mercy that Christ holds for you. Faith is a gift from God that He is so eager to grace us with. It matters whether we choose to accept this faith.

Doubt coupled with sincere inquiry is not sinful, rather, perfectly organic in many ways. In fact, this is what we call theology! Some even say that “theology is how we love God with our minds”, although the original author of this claim is unknown. Furthermore, it only becomes irreverent when we subject Christ unto our own than allow for ourselves to be subject unto Christ.

Dominicans have affirmed throughout centuries the belief that God desires us to know Him in His true essence. This is even captured in St. Catherine’s prayer “Love Undefiled” as attached below. Fr. James Martin, SJ beautifully puts in his book Learning How to Pray “…that which you seek is causing you to seek it”. If there is an inkling in your heart that desires to know God more, be assured that this is of God.

Taking a leap of faith is supposed to be risky, and even in some cases, sacrificial. It is a mere act of bravery to place your eternal salvation in the hands of a God who no one has seen except for the Son. Furthermore, it can be even more difficult to subscribe to the Christian faith in particular when Christians have an infamous reputation for bearing unfaithful fruit. Thankfully, God is his mercy and omniscience knows this, and yet still continues to impart the gift of faith to all those who ask with a sincere heart.

Dearly beloved, the next time you encounter doubt, know that you are not far from God. Quite the opposite, really. Earnestly ask, and be open to His response. Many times we believe God to be absent, because we are out of practice with our listening skills. As our sister Catherine remarks so perfectly, “God is closer to us than water is to fish”!

Love Undefiled

“Eternal God, eternal Trinity, You have made the Blood of Christ so precious through His sharing in Your Divine nature. You are a mystery as deep as the sea; the more I search, the more I find, and the more I find the more I search for You. But I can never be satisfied; what I receive will ever leave me desiring more. When You fill my soul I have an ever-greater hunger, and I grow more famished for Your light. I desire above all to see You, the true light, as you really are. Amen.” – Sr. Catherine of Siena, TOSD