Divine Mercy Sunday April 28, 2019
Fr. Albert St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette
Doubting Thomas. Because of what we see today, that’s the unfortunate nickname this Apostle gets. It makes it sound like Thomas was the only one to have doubts. But all of the Apostles were confused and full of doubt until Jesus appears. They are no better at believing than Thomas, they just get the chance to see Jesus first.
What, exactly, does Thomas doubt? Or rather, who? Jesus? Not exactly. He believes Jesus once he sees him. No, Thomas is called “doubting Thomas” not because he doubts Jesus, but the other Apostles. He doubts the Church. Which raises these two questions for us: Do I trust the Church? And, as a member of the Church, am I a trustworthy witness to the Risen Lord?
A personal relationship with Jesus is essential. He truly must be our personal Lord and Savior. But, if we really mean it when we call him Lord, we have to actually listen to him. Faith, religion and spirituality cannot, cannot, cannot be just “me and my Jesus.” There is no such thing as a Christian who doesn’t need the Church. Being spiritual, but not religious is simply not an option for a Christian. How can I say that? Because Jesus says so. He says it before he dies, and he says it right here.
At the Last Supper, Jesus told the Apostles “whoever receives you receives me and whoever rejects you rejects me.” Now, the risen Lord breathes the Holy Spirit on these men and says to them, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Really think about that. Jesus sends the Apostles – the bishops – in the same way the Father sent Jesus. The Father sent Jesus to proclaim salvation to the world. Also at the Last Supper, “the Father had put everything into his power.” Jesus Christ received authority from his Father. So, how does Jesus send these 11 men? To proclaim salvation and to do so with God’s own authority.
Of course, the point of giving them this power is primarily so that they can forgive sins. Ultimately, only God can forgive sins, but Jesus gives this authority to the Apostles. St. Thomas shows us how important it is to believe the Church. Yes, Jesus appears and removes his doubt, but he also gives an important promise and blessing: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Basically, that’s everyone. Very few people get outright visions of the living Jesus. It is God’s own design, it is the plan of Jesus for Christians to believe, to be forgiven of their sins, to be saved through other Christians, through the Church.
The only reason the Bible even exists is because the Bishops of the Church put it together and handed it down the generations. When St. Paul received visions from Jesus, Jesus sent him to the Church to be healed and to begin his work as an Apostle, a Bishop, as the Church. It’s easy to say, “I believe in Jesus.” It’s easy to say, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior.” But our actions have to prove it.
So, how do we show our faith in Jesus and in his Church? Go to confession. Go regularly. By going to the Apostles – bishops and priests – to be forgiven, we show our trust in the power Jesus gives the Church. Just one benefit from this is that you can actually know that you are forgiven… to hear the audible words: “your sins are forgiven, go in peace” knowing they’re based on the authority of Jesus Christ himself. Catholics are required to go to confession at least once a year, but don’t wait that long! Would you wait a whole year to take a bath?
Once you trust the Church, you also need to be someone people can trust… who makes it possible for others to believe in Jesus without having to touch the holes in his hands and side like Thomas did. Yet, if Thomas doubted even the Apostles, how can we do any better? Well, I can think of two ways: Be consistent and rely on the Holy Spirit.
Be consistent. It seems surprising that Thomas doesn’t trust the Apostles at this moment. At the same time, however, he did just see Judas betray them. Plus, Peter, their leader, denied he even knew Jesus. On top of all that, he knows that all of them, except John, abandoned Jesus on the Cross. In terms of being reliable, the Apostles weren’t looking too good at the moment when Thomas lost faith in them.
And the same problems affect our ability to convince others that Jesus is alive. If we betray Jesus with serious sin. If we deny him by simply hiding the fact that we’re Catholic. If we run away from every little challenge or difficulty the Church throws at us – things like abstaining from meat, going to Mass on Holy Days that aren’t Sunday, fasting, or avoiding wicked music and movies – If we can’t live the life, then we are just like the Apostles. If you say Jesus is alive and a part of your life, but don’t act like it, who will take your word for it?
Which brings us back to confession. If we do mess up, but consistently come back, admit our mistakes, and seek the grace to do better, our witness to repentance can do wonders for our credibility. Many a saint and martyr only got that way because they were a consistent failure who consistently sought forgiveness. Consistency in faith and in repentance makes our witness credible.
Finally, the Holy Spirit. Once they receive the Holy Spirit, the Apostles move from fear to boldness. They are given wisdom in what they say and miracles to confirm their testimony. Missionaries to this day see miracles in their effort to spread the Gospel. If we renew our commitment to proclaim the risen Christ, we too will be supported by the power of the Holy Spirit in what we say and do. As we look forward to Pentecost, deepen your prayer to the Holy Spirit to empower our parish in a new way. We will pray the Holy Spirit prayer before the Sunday Masses leading up to Pentecost for that intention.
As doubting Thomas shows us, doubt is normal. It is natural. But it is not the final word. Face those doubts, seek the truth. Restore your trust in Christ and his Church by going to confession often. Restore your credibility as a witness for Christ by your way of life, your repentance, and your trust in the Holy Spirit. Believe so that you, and through you many others, may have life in his name, and may recognize the risen Christ among us crying out with St. Thomas “My Lord and My God!”