Blessed Are You Who Believe
I sometimes wish that I could have been alive when Jesus walked the earth. To be able to have seen him walk, talk, pray, and preach and to have gotten to know him as a living, breathing human being would have been an awesome experience. Not only that, but it sometimes seems to me as though it would be easier to have faith if I had been a witness to his life during that time instead of connecting with Jesus so many years after he lived his life on earth. It seems to me that the scriptures for today point out that this is a mistaken way of thinking. It was not easier for the first disciples than it was for us.
The gospel reading tells the story of Thomas the Apostle and his famous doubt. Thomas questions whether the other disciples have actually seen Jesus appear to them. Having just witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion and burial a few days before, Thomas believes Jesus to be dead and buried. Consequently he thinks that the other disciples must be mistaken in thinking that Jesus has appeared to them. Thomas demands physical proof of Jesus’ resurrection. He states that unless he sees and touches Jesus’ wounds he will never believe that Jesus has arisen from the dead. Some days later, Jesus appears to the disciples again, and this time Thomas is with them. When Jesus addresses Thomas, he does not rebuke Thomas for not believing earlier. Instead, Jesus turns the situation into a teaching moment. Thomas has demanded physical evidence before he will allow himself to believe. However, Jesus points out that there are others who believe in his resurrection without seeing his hands and side. I think Jesus is saying that there is nothing wrong with wanting to have evidence or support for one’s belief. Thomas and the rest of the twelve disciples had this. However, those who believe without first seeing are more blessed. It is better to believe without seeing, since this requires more faith.
It strikes me that those of us today who have faith in Jesus, who believe in his resurrection and continued presence with us so many years after his death, are among those who believe without seeing. Of course we have a lot of help in doing this: we have the testimony of the scriptures, the witness of faithful women and men throughout the ages, and the sacraments to help us develop faith. What is ultimately important is where this faith leads us. Our faith in Jesus brings us to see that God can make possible things that seem impossible. We believe that Jesus has healed us and will continue to heal us of our infirmities through his death and resurrection. Each of us, no matter where or when we live, has a role to play in following Jesus and building the kingdom of God by allowing ourselves to serve God and each other.
Today, on the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, we are reminded of our place in the communion of believers in Jesus Christ. In the first reading, Paul tells the Christians at Ephesus that they are being formed into a holy temple. Together, all of Jesus’ followers make up one sacred temple in the Lord. The Apostles and martyrs are the foundations and Jesus is the capstone, but each individual believer has his or her own place in the structure of the temple. Each of us has our own particular part to play in the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation for the world. Let us pray that God would grant us the grace to do his will and to believe in him today, this week, and this year.
Joel Schickel