We are all experiencing the highs and lows of the moments we live in. Some days better than others. This week we have a set of readings that take us from the stoning of Stephen, to the powerful trust of the Psalmist, to Peter’s assurance of God’s mercy, ending with John the gospeller relating Jesus’ words…’I am the way, the truth and the life’. Wow!
It feels like there is too much to digest with every emotion and motivation laid bare. Being a simple soul, I want us just to home in on Jesus’ response to Thomas, the ‘doubter’. Poor old Thomas, he was simply expressing what others were thinking, but who didn’t have the bottle to verbalise it! There is some strange weaving here, as my eldest son is Thomas and the name goes back on my maternal side, five generations!
‘Lord……How can we know the way.?’, asks Thomas. I bet there are some of you reading this and asking the same question. Good! The fact that Thomas’s reaction has set him down in history as ‘Doubting Thomas’ is massively unfair. He was being honest for heavens’ sake; good for you Thomas!
Look at Jesus’ response; ‘ I am the way and the truth and the life….if you know me you will know my Father also.’ Does it seem like a put down or a Captain Mannering, ‘Stupid boy…!! or girl !’. Not at all. I identify so much with Thomas, the ‘Ooops, did I really think that, verbalise that question?’. Jesus was not angry or shocked by Thomas’ question, he simply pointed out the reality…. ‘I’m the route through which you’ll find God!’
This almost seems too simple or actually makes us feel uncertain. How, where, what? The word is ‘trust’. That’s what Jesus invited Thomas to do. Make that step. There have been times in my life and still are, when I hear that still, small voice calling, imperceptible, but drawing me on.
Many a time I’ve prayed with someone who is hurting, without hope, longing, and I hear those words of Jesus for them and I verbalise the words of Jesus…’I am (for you), the way, the truth and the life.’
Thomas is famous for his doubting, let’s take comfort in that at this time of uncertainty. Doubt and faith go hand in hand. It’s impossible to have one without the other. Jesus wants us to open our hearts and minds to see the reality that weaves itself into what we define as ‘our reality’. That he is with us each step of our journey. In every moment. Even when we feel lost or abandoned.
Thomas was not rejected by Jesus, for his doubt, he was encouraged to see differently. Just let those words, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’, play around your consciousness in each moment and sense the moving of the Holy Spirit, as you walk your way with Jesus.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
Musings 