It's the Feast of St. Thomas today. He doubted, like the Church of England itself but unlike the Episcopal Church, came to great faith.
Thomas scorned liturgical dance
And hated bad vestments
He was against wimmyn bishops, note Gloucester's teeth. And...
He stood for the Faith.
Here's the collect.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who, for the greater confirmation of the faith, didst suffer thy holy Apostle Thomas to be doubtful in thy Son's resurrection; Grant us so perfectly, and without all doubt, to believe in thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in thy sight may never be reproved. Hear us, O Lord, through the same Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for evermore.
Amen.
LSP
Most of us have doubts from time to time. The question is oft posited why men die before their wives. The answer, of course, is "because they want to". For them it's not believing or disbelieving, but a hope of something better is more clearly defined.
ReplyDeleteThomas wanted to see for himself. That's considered bad because blind faith would infer that somebody believes more deeply. I don't know if that's the case or not. Thomas might have thought that in the resurrection, the emblems of the Savior's death might not have remained. But they did. He asked a question. Is that improper?
Blessed are those who haven't seen, LL, and yet believed.
ReplyDeleteThomas didn't see and doubted, understandably. Then he saw and believed. The question is, when we're faced with the vision, will we see it?
If Christ walked down Broadway in New York City, how many would recognize him?
ReplyDeleteThat, LL, is an excellent point.
ReplyDelete