Doubting Thomas was Right

Doubting Thomas Sunday.  We hear the story of “Doubting Thomas” and the assumption of the way the story is told is that his doubt was a bad thing.  He should not have doubted the word of his friends, he should not have doubted Jesus’ ability to rise from death.  Jesus even says to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe,” which we, wrongly I think, hear as a criticism of Thomas and subsequent doubters.

In truth, I think Thomas was right to doubt.  I am thankful that he doubted.  The stakes were simply too high to just accept the word of an emotional distraught group.  Thomas understood, I think, that if this is true, this truly does “change everything” (sorry for using that overworn phrase!).

In fact, Jesus responded to Thomas by offering his hands and his side for Thomas’ inspection and gives him the opportunity to satisfy himself and truly believe.  Of course, we don’t get the opportunity Thomas did, but Jesus assures us that we will be blessed in believing even when we can’t see.

C.S. Lewis said, “Christianity is something that if untrue is of no importance and if true is of infinite importance.  The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.”  Thomas understood this and he would not be taken in easily.

Is your faith moderately important?  If so, what is holding you back from letting it be of infinite importance?  Give thanks for the witness of Thomas, who took it seriously, but once convinced was all in.  Are you ready to be all in?

This column appeared in the April 24, 2022 edition of St. John’s eNews. Click here for the complete issue.

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