Gospel of John, chapter 20:28

The story of “doubting” Thomas contains one of the greatest professions of faith found anywhere in the New Testament. Thomas’ “My Lord and My God” was no simple confession; it was a profession of faith.

St. Thomas reminds us that real faith means experiencing Christ as Lord and savior. For Thomas, the risen Lord had to be the crucified Lord. He had to probe “the nail-prints in Jesus’ hands; put his finger in the nail marks” and his hand “into His side.” Thomas wanted to see them, too. Thomas needed to see Jesus’ wounds, so that he would know whether this specter who had appeared to his friends was really Jesus, was really worth believing in.

St. Thomas was a man of faith seeking greater faith. Faith takes effort and resolve. Faith is what drives a lifestyle. Like Thomas, we too want to make sure that we are heading in the right direction. Now and then, we stumble and hesitate. We doubt, but we needn’t abandon the faith. Doubt comes naturally; it is necessary for human inquiry and progress in human knowledge. Faith, on the other hand, comes supernaturally. It is God’s gift to us.

When we say, “I believe,” we are taking a stand. We are making a declaration of dependence on God. But making this decision is never easy. Faith, however, is a treasure well worth the decision to go after, a quest well worth the effort to undertake. “Do not persist in your unbelief, but believe!” says Jesus. Few can accept this crisp command. But those who do accept it are embarking on a great adventure. They are entering into the adventure called Christ, who came to help us understand why we are here. That’s a God worth believing in! That’s a God worth the great shout of faith: “My Lord and My God”

Fr. Hugh Duffy