SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
‘Doubt no longer but believe’
The story of Thomas in today’s gospel reminds us
that the journey to Easter faith was difficult even
for the first disciples of Jesus. He doubted. Doubt
is not the enemy of faith, but rather its twin sister.
It is actually the beginning of wisdom. ‘There
lives more faith in honest doubt, believe me,
than in half the creeds’, according to celebrated
English poet of the nineteenth century, Alfred
Lord Tennyson, and the renowned French
philosopher of the twelfth century Peter Abelard
offered a similar insightful reflection: ‘It is by
doubting that we come to investigate and by
investigating that we recognise the truth’.
Healthy questioning leads to a healthy faith, a
faith that does not provide all the answers, but
which does provide us with enough light to
live with the darkness; enough joy to live with
the sorrow; enough certainty to live with the
doubts. ‘One who does not ask questions’
according to Pope Francis ‘cannot progress
either in knowledge or in faith’. When Thomas
finally made the journey from doubt to faith
his commitment was total and to the end. As
we reflect on his honest struggle, we might dare
to make our own the daily prayer of Auschwitz
survivor, Elie Wiesel: ‘I pray to the God within
me that He will give me the strength to ask
Him the right questions’.