Daily Reflections- July 3, 2012

Seek the Lord Always

 

“My Lord and my God.” These were the words of faith that the Apostle Thomas uttered after he examined the marks of the nails on the Risen Lord’s palms and side. These are also the words we utter as a declaration of faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist as the priest presents the Body of our Lord prior to Holy Communion.

On the feast of Thomas the Apostle, it is a blessed irony that someone else’s doubt becomes a later generation’s profession of faith. Thomas contributes something important in our growth and maturity in the faith.

Often called the “doubting” Thomas for his insistence to see the marks of the crucifixion on the body of our Risen Lord, I would rather call him the “inquiring” Thomas. Growth in the faith demands much more than just unquestioning obedience. For faith to become a “responsible assent” to God, it also needs inquiry, study and a passionate search for truth. Without these, our faith remains infantile. Thomas reminds us of the need for fides quaerens intellectum, i.e., faith seeking understanding.

If a non-Christian asks you these questions: Why do you impose ashes on your forehead during Ash Wednesday? Why do you fast? Why do you pray the rosary? Why do you hold that Jesus is present in the bread and in the wine? Can you honestly give a confident and learned response apart from saying it’s what I have grown accustomed to doing?

There is an ancient Greek word the early Christians used for this. It’s called apologia. Literally, it means to speak in defense. Apologetics is the defense of one’s faith through the systematic use of reason. A healthy kind of doubt is what propels a believer to seek a deeper foundation for his belief. Peter admonishes us in the Scriptures, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Fr. Joel Jason

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How much effort have you invested for a deeper understanding of your faith? Are you prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in you?

 

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord and God. Help my unbelief. Draw me always to the splendor of Your truth. Amen.