Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle
Today is the Feast of Saint Thomas, the Apostle. Whenever his name is invoked the first thing that comes to mind is, “the doubter.” Thomas is the most famous “doubter” in history and he has been joined by other doubting “holy ones” along the way. As Jesus invites Thomas to draw closer and touch his wounds, despite his doubts, the Risen One engages those who sometimes doubt (you and me) to draw closer to him as well.
Yes we are in good company. Who were some famous “holy ones” who likewise doubted?
The Little Flower (Saint Therese of Lisieux) is one of the most popular saints. Yet her brief 24 years were filled with doubt. In the end she trusted in God’s faithfulness thanks to her devotion to a routine of prayer and sacrifice. Her greatest doubts occurred on her death bed. Therese’s keen insight was that the weight of her doubt was a grace that she, God’s little flower, might be in union with the faith struggles of millions the world over. And it was for these that she desired to serve from heaven where she would more intimately have the ear of her beloved Jesus.
Thomas Merton firmly believed that faith is impossible without doubt, advising that “we must doubt and reject everything” in order to have faith, “a faith that continues to be tested and purified throughout our lives.” Many feel guilty when they doubt, but spiritual masters like Merton assure us that questioning is essential to moving towards a mature, adult faith. For Merton the great enemy of faith was not doubt but certitude.
Both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV have shared their struggles in faith. Francis wrote, “We need not be afraid to question our faith. One who does not ask questions cannot progress deeper in their relationship with the LORD.” Leo XIV’s young pontificate has also exemplified this truth.
So questions and doubts ought not be seen as a weakness or an offense to God, but rather a means to grow assisting intimacy with the LORD. Staying the course, the great dichotomy is that challenging our “certainties” can draw us even closer.
For certitude, spiritual masters have learned over the centuries, is unattainable in this life. And Thomas continues to model this truth as he has done through the centuries.
—Timothy J. Cronin