March 30, 2008

"Now faith is the assurance of things hope for; the conviction of things not seen."

Several years ago when I was a cantor, I would see people coming to Communion. I knew many of their stories --a man recently widowed, a woman mourning the death of her child, a young man being ostracized because of his beliefs, a young, single woman carrying her child, a woman battling cancer, a young couple still rejoicing over their recent marriage, a new mother, carrying her child --many stories, each one unique to that person.

And all came to receive the Eucharist. Theirs was a faith in a God whom they could not see but believed was working in their lives. We say "Seeing is believing." But we can also turn it around. If we believe God is working in our lives, we will begin to see it. Then we will believe more and 'see' more. That's how faith grows.

Again this week we hear the story of Thomas and his unbelief. But I wonder if many of us wouldn't have had the same reaction if we had seen our friend beaten and crucified, and now we're being told he is alive. We tend to be people who want logical proof and tangible evidence. Thomas teaches us that sincere doubt can be the way to a deeper faith.