Doubting Thomas
The readings remind us that the Apostles provide a spiritual home – a place where we are formed by their wisdom and activities.
St. Thomas is a man with whom most can readily identify. He is contemporary despite almost 2000 years. Questioning, doubting: he is like a magnet that attracts us. Paul writes about the "Church" as a building and even more than place it is a person, Jesus Christ. The Church he says is built upon prophets and apostles with Jesus as the capstone.
Thomas helped the Church add more people in his missionary work in India. The adage, "Small beginnings can yield sensational results" easily reflects Thomas’ works. His argument with the other apostles after missing Jesus’ appearance to them easily makes him the patron of "seeing is believing." And when Jesus did appear to Thomas, the world would hear the shortest sentence of heartfelt conversion: "My Lord and My God." A true transformation: from strong, adamant doubt to genuine belief.
And for us? Doubt is not a stranger in most people’s spiritual houses. Our Church today is people with believers who have some doubts, some questions. The contemporary world has formed most of us into proof seekers.
The Church and all that it teaches is rooted in Jesus. Is it our challenge to have an open mind and heart to come to know what Jesus teaches. Like Thomas we should bring our doubts to him and be open to his response.
