The Gospel for this week is often referred to as the story of Doubting Thomas. Having grown up in St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, I have heard this story more times than I care to remember, but this year I am claiming it for myself. This is not the story of Doubting Thomas, but the Doubting 11. In fact, if we want to assign "faith" to any of the disciples we should note that only Thomas declares Jesus to be "Lord and God." The rest may well have rejoiced that Jesus was with them again, but a week later they are still locked in a room "fearful of the Jews."
As if life wasn't scary enough after Jesus' untimely death, now they were "sent" to tell people that the Roman's had failed and the rebel king was alive? No thank you! That'll get them killed for sure. Especially if they aren't really sure what to make of Jesus being back. If he isn't "Lord and God" then what's the point of risking their necks. They decide to just be happy that they have their friend and teacher back; they insulate themselves from the outside world.
This is not what Jesus had in mind for them, and it isn't what he has in mind for us. He sent them and he sends us into the world to proclaim the Good News that death has been defeated, Satan will not win, God is in control! Are we like the 10 who sat with that news for a week trying to figure out what to do with it? Or are we like "Doubting Thomas" ready to declare Jesus as Lord and God?
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