During a vacation trip my brother-in-law, who is an incredible swimmer, invited me to go snorkeling. I doubted that I could do it, so I said no thank you several times. Knowing how much I love nature, he patiently and kindly continued to explain the equipment and the process. He answered my questions. His descriptions of his snorkeling experiences began to disrupt my doubt. I finally ventured out when he promised that he would guide me and stay with me. The first time I dipped my head into the sea and the brilliance of the oceanic life burst in front of me, I wept. Doubt vanished. I will never forget it.
In today’s gospel, Thomas has something to teach us. Doubt is a quality built into every human person. Doubt is a gift. Doubt is a pause. Doubt whispers to us…wait a minute. It is a gateway to newness and life and invites us to take time so that we can arrive at greater certainty.
I don’t know about you, but if someone told me that a person had come back to life after death and burial, my doubt meter would hit the sky. Thomas the apostle was no exception. He doubted the stories he was being told by the other disciples claiming that they had been with Jesus. They were excited to tell him that Jesus had returned but it was impossible for Thomas to believe. Jesus returned? Jesus alive? Jesus emerged from the tomb? He doubted and questioned it. I would venture a guess that most of us would do the same. Thomas replied to his friends: “Prove it.” And Jesus did, when he allowed Thomas to physically encounter him. Doubt was swept away.
Many spiritual leaders have written about doubt. One of my favorites is: The fact is that all the great spiritual models of the ages before us found themselves, at one point or another, plunged into doubt, into darkness, into the certainty of uncertainty: Augustine, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Meister Eckhart, John the Baptist, Thomas, Peter, one after another of them all wondered, and wavered, and believed beyond belief. 1
Like Thomas and the saints, we often doubt ourselves when someone suggests that we can achieve something we never thought possible. When we are presented with a new opportunity or invitation we hesitate. We doubt. Something inside asks, Can I do this? Am I enough?
Just as my brother-in-law guided me, Jesus took Thomas’s hand and guided it into his wounds. Jesus said to him: Put your finger here and see my hands and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe. Doubt vanished and I will always believe that Thomas wept.
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1 Uncommon Gratitude by Joan Chittister and Rowan Williams (Liturgical Press)
Susan Naatz
I retired from Creighton University in the spring of 2024, from my position as the senior director of the department of Ignatian Formation and Ministry for Faculty and Staff.
Before Creighton, I worked and served in three Catholic parishes as an educator, director of religious formation, pastoral minister, and counselor.
As a founder of an Omaha Archdiocesan Guatemala mission group called Ixim (Ee-Sheem): Spirit of Solidarity, I continue to help organize and prepare people for mission trips to Guatemala.
My husband John is retired from Creighton Prep High School after serving there for 39 years as teacher, principal, and president. Our beautiful family includes three sons, three daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren.
It has been a deeply spiritual experience to write daily reflections for Creighton’s Online Ministries. Writing about scripture has helped my own personal faith formation journey. But it is when I hear from our readers from all over the world that I receive a tremendous sense of peace and solidarity. I am grateful to all who read our reflections. I experience God through you. Bless you!
