Not Doubting, but Believing Thomas

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily on the Feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle

Thursday, July 3, 2014

St. Gerard Majella Church

Today, Catholics all the world celebrate the feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ. The poor St. Thomas, has oftentimes been branded and tagged as “Doubting Thomas” ever since he said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25) Yet, it is his profession of faith, “My Lord and my God!” that has helped us understand the true nature of Jesus Christ. When St. Peter answered Jesus’ question (“But who do you say that I am?” ) “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” it was a big deal. Jesus found Peter’s answer a big deal, a great profession of faith to the point that he said, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father” (Matthew 16:17).  If Peter’s profession was such a big deal, then, Thomas’ assertion (or revelation) is even a bigger deal. What did St. Peter say of Jesus? He called him the Christ, the Son of God. The word “Christ” means “anointed” and “Messiah.” So, when St. Peter said of Jesus, “You are the Christ” he was simply saying that Jesus was the anointed one of God. When he said that Jesus was “the Son of God,” he was making reference to the role that Jesus would play as the Christ, the Messiah, the one chosen by God. “Christ” and “Son of God” are both titles that describe Jesus’ mission on earth. Yes, Peter’s profession is a big deal. His profession affirms the mission of Jesus. But it is Thomas’ profession: “My Lord and my God” that gives theologians and ordinary Christians access into the nature of Jesus. His profession affirms and settles every reasonable debate about the divinity of Jesus Christ. He did not just called Jesus Lord, he also called him God. You may even say, “He did not only call him “Adoni” but also “Yahweh.” The word “Lord” can equally be a title, but the word “God” has to do with his nature. Thomas, therefore, upholds the title of Jesus as the Lord, but also reveals that he is God as well. Initially, Thomas doubted the appearance of Jesus, but he equally believed. His faith and the profession of it tells us more about who Jesus was and is. 

There is nothing wrong in entertaining some doubts about our faith, so long as the doubt leads to an honest and studious inquiry. It’s alright to have some doubts about what you read in the Scriptures and what you hear from your priests, pastors, preachers and Imams. It’s not a sin to have some doubt about what you hear from the pulpit, on radio and television as long as it leads you to a further search for the truth, as long as it leads you to seek for understanding and comprehension. Religious beliefs without doubt can lead to extremism and fundamentalism. If only the radical Islamists can doubt some of the things they were taught and search for the undiluted truth, there would be no terrorism, insurgency and terrorist attacks. Religious doubt is healthy as long as we don’t stay in doubt for too long without seeking for truth, understanding and clarification. Thomas initially doubted, his doubt led him to further search and inquiry. His search and inquiry brought him to the feet of the Truth. Having found the Truth, he believed even more. He professed and confessed even more. He went further than St. Peter by acknowledging that Jesus was, not only the anointed one, but also God. His profession helps us Christians to accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior and also our God. 

St. Thomas initially doubted but it is his belief, his faith and the profession of it that has made those of us who believe in the risen Lord to count ourselves as blessed. It was his profession of faith that made Jesus say, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29). Though we have not seen, yet, we believe. As such, we are all blessed. It was Thomas’ profession that prompted Jesus to make such a satisfying expression that we can hold closely to our hearts. So, instead of seeing St. Thomas as the doubting one, begin today to see him as the believing one. Like I said before, St. Peter’s profession affirms the mission and the ministry of Jesus, but that of St. Thomas reveals Jesus’ nature as divine.  

St. Thomas should also be known for his uncommon courage. When Jesus told his Apostles that their friend Lazarus had died and that he would go to wake him up, it was St. Thomas who exclaimed: “Let us also go to die with him” (John 11:16b). Why did he say that? Lazarus was from Bethany. Bethany was near Jerusalem, the colony of Jesus’ enemies. Going to Bethany was seen by Thomas as walking straight into the hands of his enemies, which means death. Yet, he was not afraid to follow Jesus and to die with him. Going to Bethany was like “walking through the valley of the shadow of death” to St. Thomas, yet, he feared “no evil”. Why? Because he believed God’s words in Psalm 23:4b: “…You are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”