Bring Your Doubts To Christ

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I want to begin with a question. Have you ever doubted God? Maybe you prayed for someone to be healed, but they weren’t. Maybe you asked God for direction, but all you experienced was silence. Maybe you’ve wondered, “God, are You really there?” If you’ve ever felt that way, then today’s Gospel is for you.

Poor Thomas has earned the nickname “Doubting Thomas.” But I wonder if that’s fair. Think about it. The other apostles believed because they had already seen the risen Jesus. Thomas wasn’t there. He wasn’t refusing to believe because he was stubborn; he simply wanted the same encounter they had. He says, “Unless I see… unless I touch… I will not believe.”

Now here’s the beautiful part. What does Jesus do? Does He shame Thomas? Does He say, “You should have had more faith”? No. Eight days later, Jesus comes back – just for Thomas. That tells us something incredible about God. Jesus is not afraid of honest doubts. He is only concerned when we stop searching for Him. There is a big difference between doubt and unbelief. Doubt says, “Lord, help me understand.” Unbelief says, “I don’t want You.” Thomas never walked away from the apostles. Even in his confusion, he stayed with the community. And because he stayed, he encountered Jesus. That is an important lesson for us. When doubts come, and they will, don’t leave the Church. Don’t stop praying. Don’t isolate yourself. Stay. Because Jesus often meets us where faithful people are gathered.

Then Jesus says something amazing. “Put your finger here… see My hands.” Jesus still carries His wounds after the Resurrection. Why? Because His wounds are no longer signs of defeat. They have become signs of love. And isn’t that true for us? Sometimes we want God to erase every painful chapter of our lives. But often God does something even greater. He transforms our wounds into places where His grace becomes visible.

Finally, Thomas falls to his knees and makes one of the greatest professions of faith in the entire Gospel: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus ends with words meant for us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” That’s us. We have not touched His hands. We have not seen the empty tomb. Yet every Mass is another opportunity to encounter the risen Christ in His Word, in His Body and Blood, and in His Church.

So today, maybe Jesus is asking each of us: “What doubts are you carrying?” and “Will you bring them to Me instead of hiding them from Me?” Because Jesus never rejected Thomas for doubting. He invited him closer. And He is doing the same for each one of us today.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know my questions, my fears, and even my doubts. Thank You for never turning away from me. Like Thomas, help me stay close to You, especially when my faith feels weak. Open my eyes to recognize You in the Eucharist, in Your Word, and in the people You place in my life. May I have the courage to say every day with all my heart: “My Lord and my God.” Amen.

– Homily by Rev Fr Patrick Agbeko