This is the Gospel traditionally read on this Sunday after Easter (John 20:19-31). It's the Sunday with all the names: Low Sunday (contrasted with last Sunday), Thomas Sunday, Second Sunday of Easter, Mercy Sunday. Again, we might think, "Oh I know that story!" But might we read it again during these troubling days. P.S. There are Muslims who can recite the entire Koran by heart.
When Duccio's Maesta Altarpiece was cut up, and its forty-six paintings sent all over the place, many of the paintings were further reduced, pieces sawed off top-bottom and sides. Why? Human stupidity? But this painting of Thomas meeting the Risen Jesus was spared the saw—hence the pointed ceiling. "Why can't we just leave well enough alone," the saying goes.
The painting is really titled The Incredulity of Thomas. The word incredulity means non-believing. Then we further misunderstand it by coining the unfortunate phrase Doubting Thomas. I think that's very unfair and reflective of an immature spirituality. May I make three little suggestions.
One. May God preserve us all, but imagine even briefly, you learn of a dear one's death. You are deeply grieved. Perhaps you were even in attendance at the funeral. Then three days later you are told by reliable sources that the relative or friend has been seen alive and is well. Let's be honest—you're going to believe that ?!
Two. We are constantly asking for (or even demanding) signs from God. "Oh God, I don't know where to go, or what to say, or what to do—give me a sign." Isn't that what all these Catholics are hoping for as they wait on long lines to get into the medium's performance—they want signs.
Three. We give all our attention to Thomas' struggle with believing, while we miss the fact that he says the most important thing said to Jesus in the New Testament: "My Lord and my God." Can't do better than that.
Four. Someone might say, "Oh yeah, well what about Jesus' admonition: 'Thomas, you believe because you have seen me; blessed are those who have not seen, but have believed.'" God forbid that I should shake anyone's faith, but in New Testament 101, we'd learn that sometimes the early Church put words into the mouth of Jesus to encourage themselves.
Maybe we could start a movement: Once and for all—let's be done with Doubting Thomas. He's believing Thomas! And surrounded as we are by all the bad-news, sad-news of late, may we pray to have faith such as this. My Lord and my God!
The painting is really titled The Incredulity of Thomas. The word incredulity means non-believing. Then we further misunderstand it by coining the unfortunate phrase Doubting Thomas. I think that's very unfair and reflective of an immature spirituality. May I make three little suggestions.
One. May God preserve us all, but imagine even briefly, you learn of a dear one's death. You are deeply grieved. Perhaps you were even in attendance at the funeral. Then three days later you are told by reliable sources that the relative or friend has been seen alive and is well. Let's be honest—you're going to believe that ?!
Two. We are constantly asking for (or even demanding) signs from God. "Oh God, I don't know where to go, or what to say, or what to do—give me a sign." Isn't that what all these Catholics are hoping for as they wait on long lines to get into the medium's performance—they want signs.
Three. We give all our attention to Thomas' struggle with believing, while we miss the fact that he says the most important thing said to Jesus in the New Testament: "My Lord and my God." Can't do better than that.
Four. Someone might say, "Oh yeah, well what about Jesus' admonition: 'Thomas, you believe because you have seen me; blessed are those who have not seen, but have believed.'" God forbid that I should shake anyone's faith, but in New Testament 101, we'd learn that sometimes the early Church put words into the mouth of Jesus to encourage themselves.
Maybe we could start a movement: Once and for all—let's be done with Doubting Thomas. He's believing Thomas! And surrounded as we are by all the bad-news, sad-news of late, may we pray to have faith such as this. My Lord and my God!
