"The word on
he ord"

II, Easter, B 2006

St. Raphael, Springdale, AR

 

          In this past week’s Arkansas Catholic newspaper there was an interesting article about whether or not Jesus actually walked on water.  You may have seen it.  Apparently, a group of scientists from various universities, including Florida State and Hebrew University, conducted experiments on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on the water.  According to their research, it’s possible that due to a severe cold front during that time, the water on the surface of the Sea of Galilee might have actually frozen and formed patches of ice.  So, they suggest, Jesus didn’t walk on water, He actually walked on ice.  After reading that article, I went back and re-read that passage from Matthew where it talks about Jesus walking on the water.  You’ll remember that Peter also walked on water in that episode, as well as sunk into the water.  Perhaps these scientists would say Peter slipped on the ice, heck Dc. Chuck could do that!  And what’s more, at the end of the same Bible passage, all the disciples declare: “Truly, you are the Son of God!”  Now, I doubt they would have been so impressed if Jesus was just sliding around on the ice! 

 

But you know, there was some good that came out of reading that story: it made me go back to the Bible and read that passage again; it made me think more deeply about my faith in Jesus, and it actually ended up making my faith stronger.  Sometimes challenges to our faith, even doubts about our faith, can actually help our faith to grow.  A little doubt can be a good thing.

          In the gospel today, we hear the story about Doubting Thomas.  Jesus appears to the 10 disciples while Thomas is not present and shows them that He has risen from the dead.  When the other 10 apostles tell Thomas, he doesn’t believe them, and insists that he will not believe until his doubts are put to rest.  A week later Jesus appears and this time, Thomas, seeing with his own eyes, no longer doubts but believes.  He proclaims: “My Lord and my God!”  You know, Thomas’ faith became so strong that he traveled all the way to India to preach the gospel.  Think about it: it’s because of Thomas’ faith that I am standing here talking to you today!  A little doubt is a good thing.

 

          It is in this context of doubt and faith that I would like to say a word about “The DaVinci Code.”  I’m sure that many of you are planning on seeing the movie version of it coming out in May.  I’ll probably go with Dc. Chuck and we’ll be the two in the front seat with two huge tubs of popcorn!  Now, I haven’t read the book, but I have read some reviews.  And, the book makes many claims that are directly contrary to our Faith as Catholics.  For example, it claims that Jesus was married, and that He had children, and that one of His descendants was Leonardo DaVinci.  And, if that’s not ludicrous enough, it further alleges that the Catholic Church is trying to cover all this up as a huge secret.  Now, some of you might be wondering if I would recommend that you go see this movie or not.  Well, here’s my advice: if you can remember that this is all fiction – that is, it’s just a make-believe story like “Alice in Wonderland” – then go ahead and see it.  But, if you’re looking at this movie as real history, and hope to figure out what’s really happened for the past 2000 years, then don’t waste your time.  In June, Stephen Binz, a renowned Scripture scholar, will give a presentation here at St. Raphael’s called “Cracking the DaVinci Code”, which will help separate the fact from the fiction.  It might be good to attend that lecture before seeing the movie.  You see, just like the story about Jesus not walking on water, or the doubts of Thomas, so too, with the DaVinci Code:  a little doubt is a good thing, but a lot of doubt is not.

 

          My friends, we’ve all gone through difficult times in our faith journeys: moments in which we doubted, or even denied, aspects of our faith.  There is not one person here that does not struggle with at least one thing the Catholic Church teaches: whether it’s capital punishment, abortion, contraception, immigration, annulments, war and peace, or male-only priesthood.  But these moments of questioning and doubt can also become moments of grace and growth: through the struggle our faith becomes stronger.  Every Sunday as you come to Mass, place your questions and doubts and struggles before Jesus in the Eucharist.  Kneel before Him and tell Him your struggles, like Thomas did.  And then respond like Thomas to Jesus invitation to believe, by saying, “My Lord and my God.”  Because a little doubt can be a good thing.

         

Praised be Jesus Christ!

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