Walk By Faith

   “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20: 25)

   Those words of the apostle Thomas earned him the nickname of “Doubting Thomas”, a name still used today to describe one who refuses to believe unless they have proof.

   The world is full of doubting Thomas’, those who refuse to believe unless they are given proof.  Many will not accept that the Eucharist is in fact the body and blood of Jesus even though it says so in many places in scripture.  They would want the bread to physically change to flesh and the wine to blood before they would believe.  They won’t accept the miracle.

   When the Blessed Mother appeared to three young Portuguese children at Fatima no one would believe them.  Yet on October 13, 1917 an estimated thirty thousand or more saw the miracles performed by Our Lady.  Then and only then, did they believe.

   Thomas had the opportunity to see Jesus and touch His wounds.  Those at Fatima saw what became known as the “Miracle of the Sun.”  We, unlike Thomas, believe in Jesus, His death and resurrection without the proof of sight.  I believe in the miracles of Fatima, Lourdes and many others even though I’ve not personally seen them.  I believe in the miracle of the Eucharist.  Faith doesn’t require physical proof but proof of the heart and of the spirit.  St. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians put it this way, “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor 5: 6 – 7).  That is what Christians do, we walk in faith.

   Thomas got the proof he demanded; Jesus let him place his finger into the wounds in His hand and into His side, Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20: 28) Jesus’ reply to Him is important for us who walk by faith and not by sight.

   “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. (John 20: 29)