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Faithful called to believe without seeing PERSPECTIVE FATHER BOB TIMCHAK

Saturday April 18, 2009 | 01:00 AM

SCIENTISTS AND MATHEMATICIANS seek conclusive certainty in proving or disproving theories just as ordinary people long for certainty in their everyday lives. It’s not unusual that many people also desire some certainty about God. What is unusual is that we ever get it. If we did, we’d never need faith.

It’s interesting that the second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday, always brings us John’s resurrection account, most commonly known as the story of the Doubting Thomas. Other Gospel resurrection accounts reveal a better side of the disciples, but the church is not afraid to show that coming to faith is a process and that faith itself is believing without seeing.

John tells the story of Easter Sunday when Jesus appears to his disciples and shows that he has risen from the dead. Thomas was not present, and when the other disciples told him of Jesus’ appearance, he uttered the famous line, “Unless I put my finger into the nail marks of his hands and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

Thomas is bold, but he represents any one of us who seeks conclusive certainty. He trusts what he can see, feel and touch. We may often desire that same certainty but, honestly, how often do we get it?

Life is about making a leap of faith. Our minds, senses and all of our empirical evidence can take us only so far -- to the edge of belief, where we must make a big decision: Do we stand there waiting for certainty, or do we take the leap of faith and believe without having all the evidence?

That is the definition of faith. When we get to the other side and see God face to face, faith will no longer be necessary. Even the very notion of God takes an element of faith, which we can nurture through time. A leap of faith is not relegated to theology and our belief in God; it is applicable across our lives.

I think of a young couple preparing for marriage. They date, fall in love and begin to think about spending the rest of their lives together. They look at couples married for years and wonder if they can similarly succeed. After they consider all the aspects of marriage and their readiness, they take a leap of faith into a new life together. With God’s help, their love and the support of family and friends, their faith in each other will continue to grow.

I think of first-time parents wondering if they are ready to bring children into this world. They consider their strong points, shortcomings, hopes and dreams for a family and all they learned in their own families, and they take a leap of faith into parenthood. Again, with God’s help, their love and others’ support they will be wonderful parents and raise a fine family.

The interesting part of John’s resurrection story is the end when Jesus meets Thomas and permits him to put his finger into the nail marks and his hand into Jesus’ side. Thomas never does. He only declares: “My Lord and my God.” Turns out Thomas was stronger than he realized.

May our lives be marked by similar leaps of faith. May we believe without always seeing.