From doubt to faith

Second Sunday of Easter 

John 20, 19-31

Now Thomas (called 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 it.”

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!”

From doubt to faith

José Antonio Pagola

Modern man has learned to doubt. It is typical of the spirit of our times to question everything to advance scientific knowledge. In this climate, faith is often discredited. Human beings go through life full of uncertainty and doubt.

So we all tend to support without difficulty the reaction of Thomas when the other disciples tell him that during his absence they had an extraordinary experience: "We have seen the Lord." Thomas could be a man of our times. His answer is clear: “If I do not see him, I do not believe.”

His attitude is understandable. Thomas does not say that his companions are lying or that they are mistaken. He only says that their witness is not enough for him to cling to their faith. He needs to have his own experience. And Jesus will not ever hold it against him.

Thomas has been able to express his doubts within the group of disciples. Apparently they were not scandalized. They did not expel him from the group. Neither did they believe the women when they announced they had seen Jesus risen from the dead. The incident with Thomas allows us to see the long distance the small group of disciples had to cover before they reached faith in the Risen Christ.

Christian communities ought to be in our times a space for dialogue where we can honestly share the doubts, questions, and the quest of believers today. We do not all undergo the same experiences. To grow in faith we need the stimulus that comes from dialogue with others who share our concerns.

But nothing can substitute personal contact with Christ in the depths of our hearts. According to the Gospel account , Jesus appears once more to the disciples eight days later. He does not reproach Thomas for doubting. His reluctance to believe only reveals his sincerity. Jesus shows him his wounds.

But nothing can substitute personal contact with Christ in the depths of our hearts. According to the Gospel account , Jesus appears once more to the disciples eight days later. He does not reproach Thomas for doubting. His reluctance to believe only reveals his sincerity. Jesus shows him his wounds.

They are not “proofs” of the resurrection, but “signs” of his love and surrender unto death. So he invites him to enter more deeply with confidence into his doubts: “Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas refuses to verify anything. He no longer has need of proofs. He only knows that Jesus loves him and calls him to trust: “My Lord and my God.”

One day Christians will discover that many of our doubts, honestly experienced, without losing contact with Jesus and the community can rescue us from a superficial faith that is satisfied with repeating formulas, in order to inspire us to grow in love and trust in Jesus, the mystery of God incarnate who constitutes the core of our faith.