Believing, We See

Second Sunday of Easter

My Lord and my God! John 20:28

Many of us live by the motto "Seeing is believing." We want proof first. We believe someone's promise only when the person has done something to prove it. We adopt a "wait and see" attitude with a new idea.

In today's gospel reading, Thomas embodies the " seeing is believing" motto. He needs to see the proof with his own eyes. A week later Christ appears again and says to Thomas: "Here I am. Touch me and see." Notice that Jesus does not criticize Thomas, but says, "Do not doubt but believe" (John 20:27). The Risen One comes to offer himself to Thomas, so that he might believe in God's power over death.

We all have crises of faith, like Thomas. Doubts can be a much needed part of our life as God's people; they make us wrestle with crucial questions. However, this gospel story is not primarily about doubts. It is about faith, and the one who gives and renews our faith.

God pours out the gift of faith through Christ's risen body. Faith does not depend on what we experience or feel or do. Faith is not something that needs to be proved, or "increased" through some kind of cookbook recipe. No, faith comes through us from the one who refuses to let us go. Throughout all of life's twists and turns, all of our doubts and affirmations, is the deep wellspring presence of God.

In Christ, our motto is no longer "seeing is believing" but "Believing, We See." Given God's promise to be with us, our fearful hearts are sprung open to behold his wounded and risen life in the heart of creation, in the midst of broken lives. Receiving this gift of faith, we can then cray out with our brother Thomas: My Lord and my God! Christ is living among us!

The Incredulity of St Thomas" by Caravaggio

Saint Thomas the Apostle, also called Doubting Thomas, or Didymus, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is perhaps best known for disbelieving Jesus' Resurrection when first told of it, then proclaiming "My Lord and my God" on seeing Jesus in John 20:28. He was perhaps the only Apostle who went outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel. He also crossed the largest area, which includes Persia and India.