Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
TUESDAY, December 21 Saint Thomas
John 20:24-29. Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hand, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.
At this time of year it is easier for people in our secular culture to suspend disbelief. The hardest agnostic soul is softened by Christmas, if only in passing, and faithful people are drawn deep into the heart of their believing as they rejoice in Emmanuel, God with us.
Then just before the joy of Christmas we are reminded of Thomas. Today is the feast of that doubter. Just like a modern pragmatist, Thomas wants evidence.
Thomas's presence reminds us that doubt is not God's enemy, that we are free to doubt, that God invites our doubt, that doubting is not the opposite of believing but of a piece with it. The opposite of faith is not doubt but fear.
Thomas is not fearful. And Jesus receives him as he is, belief and disbelief mixed in him in just the way it is in most of us.
God does not ask us to swallow our doubts. God asks only that we come to Christ day in and day out, unafraid to confess our misgivings, accepted as we are, until we can finally say with Thomas, "My Lord and my God!" (1995)
PRAY for the Diocese of Kumi (Uganda)
Ps 126; Habakkuk 2:1-4; Hebrews 10:35-11:1
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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