In John’s Gospel (20:19:31), we see how the apostles were hiding in fear behind locked doors, fearful for their lives.  This all changes with a renewed hope, when Jesus appears to them with a message, “Peace be with you.”  The ten apostles have witnessed together their first encounter of the risen Christ, except for Thomas; who has not seen with his own eyes the risen Lord.

There is always one in every crowd.  You know that person who never believes, who will ask all the questions and never have the answer. They will shake their head in disbelief, unless they experience it with their own eyes. Doubt destroys more relationships, goals, dreams, and aspirations than any other human emotion. Doubt can be so strong it can affect our faith.  This is true today, as it was at the time of the apostles.

The definition of a “Doubting Thomas” is a skeptic who refuses to believe without direct evidence, knowledge, or experience. A reference to the Apostle Thomas, who refused to believe that the resurrected Jesus had appeared to the ten other apostles, unless “I see the mark of the nails in his hand and put the finger into the nail marks and put my hand into the side, I do not believe.”

Thomas was not a bad apostle.  He was a man who was grieving the loss of Jesus.  Any person who has experienced the loss of a loved one can testify how devastating death can be to the heart and soul of a person. Thomas was a man whose hopes, dreams, and love had been crushed.  Thomas believed in Jesus.  He answered the calling to “Come follow me.”  Thomas set his life by following Jesus.  Now, Jesus has been killed – even dying the death of a common criminal.

Thomas was a skeptic until Christ came and said, “Place your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it by my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”  By placing his hands by his side, I can only imagine the fear of doubt was erased, the feeling of peace must have overwhelmed the soul of Thomas. His response, “My Lord and my God!” tells us Thomas recognized that Jesus is the Messiah.

We are all skeptics. I know I am a skeptic. We all close our feelings, emotions, and faith from time to time.  It is human nature to doubt.  How do we stop our inner voice of doubt?  In one word: TRUST.  Never doubt God’s plan for your life. Trust him when you do not understand. He will work it out.

St. Thomas, pray for us.

Bernard of Clairvaux