Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday April 24, John 20:19-31
In this Gospel we hear the story of “Doubting Thomas.” This is not the only time in John’s Gospel that Thomas raises a question about what Jesus said. He is a skeptic, but is able to overcome his doubt when he meets face to face with the risen Jesus. On reflecting on his doubting I realize that there is merit in doubting some of the so called shibboleths that society maintains.
Throughout history people have been certain about many things and conducted their lives based on those certainties. Then someone would come along and begin to doubt those certainties—that is to question them. In doing so they often face ridicule, persecution and often death. Yet often their doubt gains traction among people who take the time to reflect on the doubt. They come to the realization that the certainty is inaccurate and they are able to clarify the certainty. Eventually society comes to the realization that the certainty was incorrect and they are able to clarify it.
Take for example the belief that the earth was at the center of the universe and everything revolved around it. Then people like Galileo doubted the accuracy of this proposition based on observation. The Catholic Church, and many others laughed at his doubt. Galileo and those who agreed with him were persecuted. Yet eventually we came to know that the earth indeed is not at the center of the universe but only a very small part of the universe.
We also see this as the cause of racism. Many start with the certainty that non-white people are intellectually inferior. They build their case on anecdotal evidence and more often fear of the other. Yet, as people doubt the validity of this certainty they realize that people of different ethnic backgrounds are no different than white people. This clarifies the relationship even as many continue to reject the evidence of equality.
Now we are faced with a new certainty that homosexuality and transgender people are aberrations in human development and should be rejected out of hand. Those who doubt this assertion are met with ridicule and sometimes violence. Yet as we research the subject more closely we learn that this is the way those people are and in other ways are no different than others. When we accept that or clarify the certainty we bring new elements into society that enhance all of our well being.
“If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.”
― René Descartes