In John 20:24-29, we encounter the story of Thomas, often called "Doubting Thomas," who initially refused to believe in Jesus's resurrection without physical proof. This passage invites us to reflect on the nature of faith, doubt, and the profound mercy of Jesus.
The Reality of Doubt: Thomas's doubt reflects a natural human tendency to seek tangible evidence. His skepticism invites us to acknowledge our own doubts and struggles in faith, reminding us that questioning can be part of our spiritual journey.
Jesus's Compassionate Response: Jesus does not rebuke Thomas for his doubt. Instead, He offers Thomas the very proof he sought, inviting him to touch His wounds. This teaches us that Jesus understands our struggles and meets us where we are, offering the reassurance we need.
Blessed Are Those Who Believe Without Seeing: Jesus's words, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed," highlight the value of faith. This encourages us to trust in Jesus’s promises even when we cannot see or fully understand them, cultivating a deeper, more resilient faith.
Personal Encounter with Jesus: Thomas’s transformation from doubt to belief emphasizes the importance of a personal encounter with Christ. Seeking a relationship with Jesus through prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments can strengthen our faith and help us overcome doubts.
The Power of Confession: Thomas's proclamation, "My Lord and my God!" upon seeing Jesus, is a powerful confession of faith. This reminds us of the importance of professing our faith openly and confidently, acknowledging Jesus as our Lord and Savior in every aspect of our lives.
The story of Thomas reassures us that doubt does not disqualify us from Jesus’s love. Instead, it provides an opportunity for a deeper encounter with Him. By bringing our doubts and fears to Jesus, we open ourselves to His grace, allowing Him to transform our uncertainty into a stronger, more vibrant faith.
Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your patience and understanding with our doubts and struggles. Help us to trust in Your promises even when we cannot see or fully understand. Strengthen our faith through personal encounters with You, and give us the courage to proclaim You as our Lord and God. May Your grace transform our hearts, leading us from doubt to unwavering belief. Amen.
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Today's Homily:
Today's Gospel, John 20:24-29, recounts the story of Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, who has come to be known as "Doubting Thomas." This passage addresses the themes of doubt, faith, and Jesus's mercy.
Thomas was absent when Jesus first appeared to the apostles after His resurrection. When they tell Thomas they have seen the Lord, he responds with skepticism, declaring that unless he sees and touches Jesus's wounds, he will not believe. A week later, Jesus appears again to the apostles, this time with Thomas present. Jesus invites Thomas to touch His wounds and believe. Thomas responds with a profound declaration of faith, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus then says, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Thomas’s doubt highlights a natural human tendency to seek tangible proof, reminding us that doubt is a common part of the faith experience. Everyone encounters moments of uncertainty, and it is important to acknowledge these doubts rather than ignore or suppress them.
Jesus's response to Thomas’s doubt is compassionate. Instead of rebuking Thomas, Jesus offers him the evidence he seeks. This demonstrates that Jesus understands our struggles and meets us where we are. He does not condemn us for our doubts but offers us His presence and reassurance, inviting us to grow in faith.
Jesus’s words, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed," emphasize the value of trusting in His promises even without physical proof.
Today, let us take comfort in the story of Thomas. His journey from doubt to faith reminds us that Jesus is patient and merciful, always ready to meet us in our moments of uncertainty and to strengthen our faith. Let us strive to trust in Jesus’s promises and to seek Him earnestly, so that we too can proclaim with conviction, "My Lord and my God!"
Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your understanding and compassion in the face of our doubts. Help us to trust in Your promises and to seek Your presence in our lives. Strengthen our faith and guide us to proclaim with conviction that You are our Lord and our God. Amen.
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Today's Story:
One true incident that is closely connected to the theme of John 20:24-29, which deals with doubt and belief, involves C.S. Lewis, the famous author and Christian apologist.
C.S. Lewis, known for his works like "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "Mere Christianity," experienced a profound journey from atheism to faith. Born into a Christian family, Lewis lost his faith during his teenage years and became a staunch atheist. His disbelief was primarily influenced by the death of his mother and the suffering he observed in the world, which made him question the existence of a loving God.
Lewis’s transformation began when he started reading Christian literature and engaging in deep philosophical discussions with his friends, including J.R.R. Tolkien, a devout Catholic and the author of "The Lord of the Rings." These friends challenged his atheistic views and presented him with compelling arguments for Christianity. Over time, the persistent intellectual and emotional exploration led Lewis to reconsider his beliefs.
One particular night, during a walk with Tolkien and another friend, Lewis had an intense discussion about mythology and Christianity. Tolkien explained that Christianity was the "true myth," a story that actually happened in history, offering a profound explanation of the human condition and the world. This conversation was a turning point for Lewis.
Later, in a moment that he described as reluctant and unintentional, Lewis felt a deep conviction and knelt to pray. He later wrote, "You must picture me alone in that room in Magdalen College, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the Trinity Term of 1929, I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England."
Like Thomas, Lewis’s journey from doubt to faith involved seeking and questioning, yet eventually led to a profound personal encounter with God. His conversion story highlights that doubt and intellectual struggle can be part of a sincere search for truth, and that God meets us in our doubts with patience and grace.
This true incident of C.S. Lewis’s conversion underscores the message of John 20:24-29: that even those who doubt can come to a deep and transformative faith through sincere seeking and the willingness to encounter Jesus.
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"Doubt and Faith: Learning from Thomas's Journey"
Why did Thomas doubt so much? On Easter Day, Jesus appeared to the other disciples miraculously, even though the doors were locked. He showed them his hands and side to prove he was the same Jesus they knew, not a ghost. Jesus spoke with his usual kindness and authority but also brought something new and mysterious. He blessed them with peace, renewed their spirits, gave them a mission, and shared his Holy Spirit. However, Thomas missed this powerful encounter and initially thought it was an illusion. He tended to doubt and was slow to believe good news.
Earlier in John's Gospel, Thomas showed his pessimistic side. When Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem, despite objections from his disciples, Thomas grimly said, "Let's go too, even if it means we'll die with him" (John 11:16). He often expected the worst. When Jesus assured them he was going to his Father, Thomas questioned how they would find the way (John 14:4-5). So, when the disciples told Thomas about Jesus' resurrection, he stubbornly insisted on proof: "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, touch them, and put my hand in his side" (John 20:25).
Thomas's doubts teach us a valuable lesson. His slow journey to belief reflects our own struggles with faith. His story encourages us to seek a personal encounter with Jesus. Thomas needed to see and touch Jesus to believe. Yet, when Jesus lovingly responded to Thomas's doubts, he showed understanding and kindness, setting an example for all who struggle with faith.
How would the Church handle someone like Thomas, openly questioning? Would they silence or ignore him? Jesus's response to Thomas's doubts shows compassion for all who wrestle with faith. This story of Jesus' resurrection is profoundly real. Despite his doubts, Thomas becomes a channel of faith for us, expressing not just belief but deep commitment and surrender: "My Lord and my God!"
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