Sunday, January 28, 2007

Faith and Doubts...

This Friday is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas Day. We commemorate that day when Jesus was presented in the Temple by St. Joseph and his Mother according to the prescriptions of the law. Here there was a devout old man named Simeon. "It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord." (Lk 2:26) Can you imagine his joy when the child Jesus was brought to him and when he held Him in his arms? Simeon proclaimed the words that all priests and religious brothers and sisters say at night time in the Divine Office: "Now, Lord you, may dismiss your servant in peace according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation which You have set before all the nations, as a light for the gentiles and the glory of your people Israel." (Lk 29-32)

We give thanks to almighty God for the Light, his Son. We thank Him that He was revealed not only to the people of Israel but also to us and the whole world. Jesus is our Light and the Light of the world.

We certainly can use this Light today. Knowing and living his revelation brings about true love and true peace. But there are people who have doubts about what God has revealed. They are not sure about the Faith.

The best way to deal with doubts is to talk about them frankly with God. Pope Benedict XVI said that, if we don't understand Him, we should tell Him so and ask for his help. "In this way, with such frankness, which is the authentic way to pray, to converse with Jesus, we express the littleness of our capacity to understand, but at the same time we assume the attitude of trust of one who expects light and strength from the one able to give them," the Pope said. He referred to St. Thomas the Apostle who doubted the Resurrection. He had to see with his own eyes the wounds on the risen Lord's body. But, afterwards his faith was unshakable even unto death. After Pentecost Sunday he went on to preach the Gospel in Syria, Persia (Iran today), and India.

The example of St. Thomas shows us that every doubt can lead to light. When we sincerely pray to God and bring these doubts before Him, He will enlighten us provided that we listen with purity and humility.

Fr. Stanley