Do you believe?

By Lisa Greey –

The last time someone told you some really amazing news how did you react?  You probably wanted some proof, right?  If I told you I won the lottery, you would want to see the ticket or that huge check you always see on the news when people win!  Well if you want the proof than you are not unlike doubting Thomas in this Sunday’s gospel.

Jesus appears to the disciples and the first thing he says, and the thing he says so often after the Resurrection, is “Peace be with you.”  He seeks to calm their fears.  I often have many fears in life – fears about the future, finances, and my career.  The disciples were full of similar fears I bet.  Jesus had died, and they didn’t quite understand the Resurrection yet.  So they were probably wondering, “What do we do with our lives now?  We have been followers of Christ, but now he is not with us.”  They had troubled hearts, yet Christ told them “Peace be with you.”  He says the same thing to you and I today when we are beset with fears and troubles of our own.  The disciples experience great peace and joy from seeing their Lord and Savior.

Thomas, however, is not with them.  He hears the story from his friends, but he cannot accept it at face value.  He needs the proof.  He gives very explicit proof too: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands” and “put my finger into the nail marks.” The events of Christ’s passion are Thomas’ last memories of Christ.  The beauty of life in Christ is that he knows us, and he will do whatever it takes for us to believe in him.  So, Christ appears again when Thomas is present and Thomas gets his proof: “Then he (Christ) said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”  Through this experience, Thomas comes to believe.

Now you may be thinking easy for Thomas to believe, he actually got to see and touch Christ.  Well don’t loose heart because Christ says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” While the proof may not be in the pudding for us, that’s where the gift of faith comes in!