Saint Thomas: Coming through Doubt

6/4/2024

St. Thomas was one of the twelve Apostles. There are three significant mentions of him in the Bible.

 When Jesus said He was returning to Judea to visit His sick friend Lazarus, Thomas urged the other Apostles to go with Him, despite the certain danger of the trip.  Thomas said: "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

At the Last Supper, when Christ told His Apostles that He was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way, Thomas pleaded they did not understand. He received assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

The most known mention is when the risen Christ first appeared, Thomas was not among those disciples who saw Him. When the others told Thomas, he did not believe and requested physical proof of the Resurrection, hence where the term “doubting Thomas” developed. When Christ reappeared and asked Thomas to touch his wounds, Thomas’ realization of the truth and exclamation of “My Lord and My God” made Thomas the first public profession of faith in the Divinity of Jesus.

 Everyone has doubts and fears - even highly successful people. Those feelings can be overwhelming, even incapacitating. You might be embarrassed by your doubts or questions. As Episcopalians, we are a faithful people of questions and open to exploring those questions. God’s love is so definite that we can ask questions without fear. Our trust in God and in His love for us help us in our doubt. There are many ways to explore our questions – through prayer (both alone or with a group), reading the bible, joining a bible study, and quiet time with God. If there is a direction in your life you are unsure where to take, discern on it. Sitting and listening for God’s direction, meditating on the issue, looking for signs and support around you can help immensely. Joining a spiritual retreat can be rewarding, companionable and fulfilling as well. Grow in the knowledge and love of God.

Blessings.