April 19, 2009 Message

1 John 1:1 - 2:5; John 20:19-31
“I Do Believe”

The author of 1 John begins by writing about “what we (the apostles) have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life”— the risen Christ. He tells about what they have seen and heard so others can also join them in fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” Because of what they saw and heard, they believed - and wanted others to believe also. I want that, too – for others to believe – but I have not seen with my own eyes, nor been in the same room with Jesus where I could reach out and touch him.

In a lot of ways I am like Thomas in today’s gospel story. I have been skeptical of what others have told me they have experienced. I have struggled with what to believe. And I still question in my mind what others say. But I think that’s okay. Not all of us arrive at our faith easily. Jesus suggests at that when he tells Thomas, who had to see for himself, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” People like that are special. We understand. Without ever seeing the resurrected Jesus before them or the chance to place their hands in his side – they can still say, I do believe.

Maybe that is the kind of belief Iowa born singer Susan Werner writes about in her song “I Will Have My Portion” – a belief that is personal and practical, a belief of possibilities. The final chorus of this song ends with: “I will have my portion. I will have my share. Yes I will! YES I WILL!” Belief like that gives real hope to those whose “time has passed them by;” or whose “well has run dry;” or who is stuck with a life “as it hast to be.” It is a faith that says there is a better day coming – even though it has not yet been seen!

The “portion or share” – intended for all of us – will happen she writes:
“Cause I do believe there's a harvest in the field.
I do believe there's truth to be revealed.
I do believe there's treasure to be found,
And I do believe there's enough to go around.” – Susan Werner, “I Will Have My Portion,” 2007

What do we believe? What helps us in our spiritual lives — that brings us that peaceful feeling, that sense of calm, where we find safety and comfort, where we are able to withstand the pressures surrounding our faith? What do we cling to for our security?

The gospel of John says following Jesus’ death, the disciples, afraid that they would also be killed by those who crucified Jesus, huddle together behind locked doors – that is all except Thomas who was outside for some reason. While Thomas was gone Jesus appears to the others. When Thomas returns, they tell him, they believe “Jesus is risen!” But Thomas says, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). There are conditions for our belief, aren’t there?

Have you ever had the experience of being on the outside looking in? When the whole group, except you, knows something you probably ought to know? It happens to young people all the time, at least it seemed to for me. We’ve all experienced it, haven’t we, when you realize you don’t really know what you should. So you have two options: pretend that you know and fake it — hoping that you can catch on real soon; or call time out long enough to ask questions and to do what you need to do to “get up to speed.” Of course, a third option would be to simply remain on the outside and not know.

For Thomas and those of us ‘on the outside looking in’ – who have missed the experience of God’s “Holy Breath” on our souls – the only real option is to find answers to our questions, to gather ‘real evidence,’ or to find concrete ways to help us believe. We can look to archeological sites or historical artifacts like the Shroud of Turin, the cloth that Jesus’ body was wrapped in after he was crucified; pieces of the cross on which he was nailed; or the ossuary of James the brother of Jesus to provide proof for our belief. But is there ever enough, having not seen for ourselves? Or is a loving and powerful God enough to go around – a God revealed in Jesus Christ?
“I do believe there’s a harvest in the field.
I do believe there’s truth to be revealed.
I do believe there's treasure to be found,
And I do believe there's enough to go around.” – Susan Werner, “I Will Have My Portion,” 2007

What do you believe and how would you describe your faith? Do you move steadily ahead in your faith seldom questioning, or has it been a lifelong struggle with doubt and skepticism and a search for something solid to hold on to. If you are among those who along the way have wondered, or questioned, or struggled to find something real to believe in, know that you may very well have a grounded faith in God - because for for a lot of people, doubt may be the necessary step on their road to faith.

Take Dorothy Day, for example - the late founder of the Catholic Worker - who wrote that in the early years of her life whenever she knelt to pray, she would be overcome by doubt and shame, wondering — “Do I really believe? Whom am I praying to?” But once when walking to the village to get her mail, she found herself praying again, this time out of a deep sense of thankfulness. Over time, she became encouraged in her faith. The words of thanksgiving that she prayed each and every day began to slowly move into her heart and shape her conscience in faith. She came to faith through doubt.

Thomas was an honest man. He didn’t pretend to believe something that he really didn’t. He knew that what others were saying about Jesus was so important he had to really believe it for himself. Asking questions was who he was – it’s who some of us are as well - and that’s okay. His questions led him to faith, to encounter the risen Lord. Ours do as well. And yet our faith rests on what cannot be seen but only believed.

That is the blessing Jesus speaks of in gospel today – a blessing that very well may be ours as an Easter people who believe good fortune IS coming our way.
“Somewhere there's a blessing that will bear my name.
Sooner or later it's coming to me just the same.
I can't wait to see what's set-aside for me.
With every new sunrise, I'll keep my eyes wide open.
I know… I know… I know.” – Susan Werner, “I Will Have My Portion,” 2007

“Blessed are they who do not see — but believe.” – John 20:29b