Never A Doubt

This week, in the Gospel, we heard the story of Doubting Thomas.  Thomas was not going to believe that Jesus was risen from the dead “until he sees the holes in His hands and can put his hand in His side.”  After doing just that, Thomas says, “My Lord and My God.”  After seeing Thomas, Jesus says, “You have faith because you have seen, blessed are those that have faith and have not seen.”

This example of Thomas, can make the believers feel pretty good.  See, we believe without seeing, so we are blessed.  However, I want to take a look at this Gospel from a different point of view.  One question, do you know a doubting Thomas or two?  Do you know someone that says they believe, but do not believe in coming to church?  Do we know someone that is maybe on the edge of believing but need that extra help to go all the way?  What are we doing to help those we know who doubt?

I used to be the doubting Thomas, until my friend Bob came into my life.  Bob and I were playing golf on one of those sixty degree Sundays, in January, yes January.  As you can imagine, knowing any golfer, stealing a day in January, for golf, in Indiana, is like getting an extra Christmas Gift.  Bob and I were on the 12^th hole, of a very busy, and slow golf game.  Looking at his watch, Bob decides he has to leave the golf course so he can make the Sunday evening Mass.  At this time in my life, I was away from the church, because I was doubting, like Thomas. 

Bob, to this day, probably has no idea what leaving the golf course, that day, meant to me.  He set the example for me, a guy in my twenties, that profoundly changed my life.  I did not know a bunch of guys my age that would give us a golf game for church.  His simple gesture, planted a seed in me, that grew quickly, for it was about two weeks later that I started attending church again, and am glad to say, that I have not missed a Sunday since.  I do not say that to brag, I share this because I am afraid if I miss a Mass, I will quickly turn back to my doubting ways.

Take some time this week and think about someone that has maybe gone by the wayside from their faith.  Take some time to share your experience with someone that is thinking about coming back into the church.  It does not have to be preaching, but that would not hurt.  It could be as simple as sharing your faith experience, or telling someone the story about what brought you back to the faith.  It could be as simple as turning down an invitation to a Sunday experience, like going to a ball game, or giving up a golf game, and attending Mass, like Bob did for me.  It could be a simple invitation to the doubting Thomas in your life, to join you at Mass. 

If you know a doubting Thomas, talk with them and encourage them to get back to their faith.  If you are like my friend Bob, who did not know I was like Thomas, do not take your for granted the example you are setting by just simply putting God first in your life, and the example you are setting for others.