Are We A Doubting Thomas?

                          Are We A “Doubting Thomas?”

Eileen Renders                                                                      April 2024

   How joyfully surprised were the Apostles when they heard that Christ had risen. Jesus came down upon them in the upper room to console them. However, Thomas said that if He could touch Him, he could not fully believe Christ had risen.

   Jesus allowed Thomas to approach and touch Him saying; “Blessed are those who believe and have not seen, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Because it is not written, it is common for us to wonder exactly what happens next after our death. We believe in Three persons in one God as Jesus taught us when He was here with us on earth. We were taught and we believe that God is, always was and always will be, which is difficult for us humans to comprehend. Faith, however, is our armor, and it wards off our doubt and confusion.

   Perhaps when Jesus was on earth for thirty-three years preparing for His sacrifice on the Cross, and teaching in the Temple, and at the same time selecting His Apostles to watch and listen to what He was saying and doing so that they could continue His Teachings, and writing for the Bible to come forth that Jesus performed so many miracles as it was very important that His Disciples know and believe who sent Him.

   Jesus said to His followers; “I go to the Father, and where I AM, so too will you be with Me.” Jesus also said; “In My Father’s house there are many rooms, I go before you to prepare a place for you.” This last sentence in some ways conjures up the idea that we who do make it to heaven may have very different Quarters there. For example; Some of us are very loyal animal lovers, and perhaps where we are, so too will there be all of the pets we once owned. For others who love music, perhaps they will have a special place to relax and listen to beautiful music. Others may consider beautiful Flower Gardens to sit by, and they too will have a garden next to their Quarters.

   Have you ever asked yourself how God, with billions of people, could hear each of us as we pray and speak to Him? And how did He name thousands of Stars and know each one by name? God is Omnipresent, He can be in many places all at the same time. Perhaps, in heaven that is exactly how He will be able to be with all of us.

   Of course, we do not have all the answers, but we realize that whatever God gives us is all good. Therefore, it is just, the trust that we have in Him that allows us to look forward to our life after death.   

   Being with someone as death nears can be a very remarkable experience. One of my family members spoke to his wife briefly before death and told her that he had seen a beautiful gold Carriage coming to take him home. Death can be frightening for many reasons, such as seeing, or hearing of a violent death, or much suffering one must endure before dying. More often than not, however, doctors and nurses who have seen many dying deny seeing patients die in pain, or with fear.

   Preparing for our departure is sometimes a good way to prioritize and direct our prayers to God asking for more trust, and a peaceful death.