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June 23, 2024We all understand that a doubting Thomas is a skeptic who refuses to believe without direct personal experience – the reference to the Gospel of John's depiction of the Apostle Thomas, who, in John's account, refused to believe the resurrected Jesus had appeared to the ten other apostles until he could see and feel Jesus's crucifixion wounds.
In John’s Gospel, Thomas, called Didymus, would not take the word(s) of the other apostles to
believe in Christ’s Resurrection. He wanted proof. At least he was looking for the truth…in our world today, some folks do not even want the Truth when it comes to something either hard to believe or they just do not care to believe because it does not fit their agenda or understanding of the world. It is a good thing Jesus was sure of His teachings, His Truth, and not afraid of doubt. He was confident that His Truth was the antidote to doubt and unbelief. Luckily, we all not only know the story, but we now the ending.
As we travel our faith life journeys, we might need to ask ourselves just how many times have I
been a “Doubting Thomas’?” Moreover, we might also need to ask what are the prime movers or the motivating factors behind my unbelief or my obstinence. Does popular cultural challenge or popular celebrities who are uninformed cause it; is it caused by a personal obstacle or situation in my own life that causes me to consider something in the “personal” rather than the “general.” Is it the poorly explained teaching of the Church, where just the simple “answer” it is a mystery causes me more confusion than a believable answer? Of equal import, in our confusion, how do we come to understand what is my roadblock to understanding Truth?
To that end, and in order to form our faithful with God’s Truth, we need first to start “at the very beginning…” and ask ourselves “just what is preventing me from knowing the Truth?”
To begin that, we have to have an initial conversation to know where we are and where we are
heading, and then grow in solid Truth. I would like to ask our parishioners some questions and begin the conversations on what we believe and why we teach what we teach. It is not just about knowing the “Thou shall nots…” but about understanding the meaning and the purpose behind the Beatitudes and all the teachings of Christ. This will require us to answer difficult questions and to have courageous conversations. After all, if we truly believe we have Christ’s Truth, then doubt should never be a fear.
So…- What confuses you about the Catholic faith?
- Which teachings seem to be in conflict with our cultural understanding of compassion, kindness and generosity?
- What does it mean to be “a free human son or daughter of God,” and are the Ten Commandments a burden or are they truly freeing?
- Do I understand the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life, the meaning and purpose of Holy Matrimony and the marriage vows, the difference between a contract and a covenant, the role of family, and the design of male and female?
- Do I understand the separation of Church and State, and is it meant to restrict the Church? Does the Church have a role to play in the public arena?
- Should I consider Bible study?
- Any other question you may wish to raise…
conversations to grow our faith, as Christ would want. To quote NBC and their commercial…The more you know…the more your relationship with Christ will grow, your encounter with the Divine will deepen and strengthen you, and Eternal Life shall rest in your heart and you rest in it, eternally.
Once we have these questions considered, we can enlist the intellect of some good speakers and
thinkers to help us gain the necessary and Truthful answer to grow our encounter with Christ—and seek Eternal Salvation.
Beginning in July, we will have sealed boxes in the entrances of the church to leave your
questions, feel free to deposit them during the months of July and August. Then a committee will collect them, separate them into subject matter areas, and consider how we shall go about the discussions in a public forum. If you would like to be on this working committee, put that request in the sealed box also.
This process can be amended and you may feel free to place those suggestions in the sealed boxes too.
Peace,
-Fr. Michael