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The inner word

02 Aug 2015 - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

The Israelites “grumbled” many times during their sojourn through the desert to the land God had promised them. In many cases God’s reaction was anger at the people’s failure to trust in God’s guidance, despite the circumstances. In this week’s reading, however, God’s ultimate response was an act of care: sending them the “flesh” and “bread” they desired. Complaints against God are not in themselves a sin; they figure in scripture on many occasions. It’s what they lead to that’s important. Doubt can lead to belief; even questioning shows you value in a relationship. Don’t be afraid to bring your uncertainties to God. You just might be opening a door to greater faith.

Doubt distrust uncertainty

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The inner word

09 Jun 2013 - Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

It’s very likely that at times in your life you have been doubted, mistrusted, or had your abilities questioned. As you can hear in this Sunday’s readings, Ezekiel, Saint Paul, and Jesus experienced the same thing. What did they do? They didn’t rage and retaliate. They defended themselves by staying close to God and their mission. How can you do the same?

Doubt focus

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In other words

03 Apr 2016 - Solemnity of the Second Sunday of Easter; Divine Mercy Sunday, Cycle C

The disciples had gathered together. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side. The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.” Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?” But Thomas was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.” But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.” Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.” Thomas said, “My Master! My God!” Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing” (from John 20). Taken from The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition by Eugene Peterson (ACTA Publications, 2014); actapublications.com; 800-397-2282.

doubting thomas Holy Spirit

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Homily themes

15 Apr 2012 - Solemnity of the Second Sunday of Easter; Divine Mercy Sunday, Cycle B

"Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” When many people read or hear this appearance-story of Jesus, they tend to focus on the character of Thomas and his relationships with the other disciples and Christ. For some, Thomas is the one who gave his name to doubting (bad), while to others he is a hero of faith for sticking, Job-like, to his guns and believing only after he has seen and heard the genuine article (good). The ultimate point of the story, though, is directed to its future audience: That believers to come—who aren’t able to say they have “seen the Lord!” or touch his wounds in the same way the disciples were privileged to say and do—are just as blessed; they “believe that Jesus is the Christ” nonetheless. Jesus “sends” them out just as much and with the same Spirit he did with the original crew. Even the power to forgive goes out to the whole church—the “you” in “whose sins you forgive” means the entire community, then as it is now. The call to faith has always been both a great privilege and a tremendous responsibility.

Authors Joel Schorn

Thomas Doubt belief Holy Spirit sending forgive call

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The inner word

01 May 2011 - Solemnity of the Second Sunday of Easter; Divine Mercy Sunday, Cycle A

Joy, hope, and doubt are all part of each person's journey of faith. What have been my deepest joys, my greatest moments of hope, my times of greatest doubt? When I gather with my worshipping community, do I sense that all these emotions are present and, in fact, vital to a healthy faith community? Who inspires awe in me? Do I pass on a sense of awe to others? In what one constructive way could I be a sign of God's peace or offer a sign of peace to others today?

joy Hope Doubt faith journey

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Exploring the word

01 May 2011 - Solemnity of the Second Sunday of Easter; Divine Mercy Sunday, Cycle A

Of the apostles named among the 12, we have real affection for only a handful. There are not many fan clubs for Bartholomew (with apologies to the St. Bartholomew Churches out there!). Few folks have personal devotions to Philip or James the son of Alphaeus. “Bad boys” in the assembly might be partial to the Sons of Thunder, James and John. Others may feel mild empathy for Matthew-Levi, tax collector and pariah among his own people. But when you ask for a show of hands for favorite apostle, you’ll get takers for Peter the impetuous and Thomas the doubter. Saint Peter has enormous stature in the church for obvious reasons; we love Saint Thomas for only one: the Gospel of John. Thomas has nothing to say apart from John’s testimony to him, which makes him a near chatterbox by comparison with the synoptic gospels. In John he distinguishes himself four times: before the raising of Lazarus, when he urges the other disciples to go to Bethany with Jesus and to die with him. Second, at Jesus’ last discourse he frankly admits he doesn’t know the way to follow Jesus. Third, after the Resurrection appearance in the locked room Thomas gets himself into the present mess commemorated this Sunday. Finally, he is one of the disciples singled out by name getting in the boat with Peter to go fishing. This last passage should be the one by which we remember Thomas, because it’s the most telling. In the end it shouts to us: Thomas got on board! From the start Jesus calls disciples for the expressed purpose of going on a fishing expedition for his sake. It’s significant, then, that Peter’s first post-Resurrection decision is to go fishing. The roll call of those who got in the boat with Peter is not random: Thomas the confessor, Nathaniel the reformed cynic, Zebedee’s now humbled sons, and two mysterious “others”—one of whom is the Beloved Disciple. No point in spilling more ink in the controversy of who the Beloved Disciple is, which won’t be solved here. It’s more intriguing to consider who the other “other” might be: Does that leave room for you or me in the boat? Taking in the whole story of Thomas at a glance is important because many of us get stuck in this one episode, which reveals Thomas the Problem. It’s obvious that John’s intention is to provide us with Thomas the Solution, the redeemed one, viewed over the spectrum of his discipleship. Just like Thomas, we problem disciples still have time to get on board. Scripture links The ideal early church: Acts 4:32-35, 5:12-16, 9:31 Walking by faith and also by touch: 2 Cor. 5:7; 1 John 1:1-4 Other appearances of Thomas the disciple: John 11:16, 14:5 The work of witnessing: Acts 10:39-43 Church as the Body of Christ: 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Col. 1:24; Eph. 1:22, 4:15-16 Catechism links Four elements of "Acts disciples": CCC 3; 584; 857; 946-953; 1329; 1342; 2177-2179; 2624 Post-Resurrection disciples: CCC 442; 643-647; 730; 788; 858-859; 1287

Authors Alice Camille

saint thomas doubting thomas

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Homily stories

01 May 2011 - Solemnity of the Second Sunday of Easter; Divine Mercy Sunday, Cycle A

Many things can--and have--been said about the apostle Thomas and his infamous demand to see the risen Christ in person rather than rely on the reports of the other disciples. Some have vilified him as the arch-doubter, while others have praised him for his persistence in seeking out the risen Christ for himself. The early Christian bishop, saint, and servant of the poor Paulinus of Nola had his own, unique interpretation of the encounter between Thomas and his Lord. Paulinus and his wife Theresia had endured the death of their infant child. Writing to another couple who had experienced the same loss, Paulinus said: "It was not without divine purpose that the apostle [Thomas] doubted. By his doubting, he strengthened faith. Because Thomas was bidden to see and hear in person, I learn to believe unswervingly and with steady faith that human death was overcome by the death of Christ crucified." Paulinus came to this conviction because he believed the story. We, too, hear the same story, which was "written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name."

Authors Joel Schorn

saint thomas doubting thomas

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Homily stories

12 Dec 2010 - Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle A

ARE YOU THE ONE who is to come? is among the most fascinating questions in the New Testament. First, it is the question on the minds of anyone who encounters Jesus (then and now). A simple yes or no would suffice, but in typical Jesus fashion the answer is rich, layered, and challenging. We all are looking for a Messiah, but is one who cures and comforts outcasts the person we had in mind? Basically Jesus' message to John is: Here are the facts. It is for you to decide. Second, what is so amazing about John's question is the level of trust it implies. John was confident Jesus would tell him the truth. In fact, John already knew the truth. If he hadn't been convinced Jesus was the Messiah, he would have never posed the question. When you find yourself in doubt of who Jesus is, first think about Jesus' answer to John: Is the one who brings good news to the poor, helps the blind see, and deaf hear the savior you had in mind? If not, then perhaps you're on the wrong path--or more probably unaware of your own needs. Second think about John's question. If you are asking Jesus whether or not he is your savior, chances are you already know the answer.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

john the baptist Doubt

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Homily themes

12 Dec 2010 - Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle A

"Go and tell John what you hear and see . . . ." The "evidence" Jesus gives that he is the "one who is to come" echoes the working of God in both the psalm and the reading from Isaiah. All in all the readings describe God's reign, which prophets, be they Isaiah or John the Baptist, proclaim. In the Kingdom that Jesus brings, both in his person and his ministry, the weak are strengthened, the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the mute speak, and the poor hear the good news. God, and those who do God's will, feed the hungry, set captives free, bring justice to the oppressed, protect the vulnerable, and lift up the lowly. This is what salvation looks like, and it is that for which, on this "Gaudete" Sunday, we rejoice. Homily points Doubt is a familiar aspect of living in a world of uncertainties. It is often useful, but sometimes gets in the way of our discipleship. John the Baptist experienced a crisis of doubt about Jesus toward the end of his career. Jesus did not condemn his doubt but affirmed his faith. The Twelve who followed Jesus closely had similar doubts large and small. It did not deter them from continuing on the way. Living beyond our doubts is not an extraordinary expectation. Even mortal enterprises assume risk and involve patient surrender to the unknown.

john the baptist Doubt

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