The Parishes of Bantry Bay

On Sunday we will celebrate the Feast of St Thomas. Poor Thomas has been nicknamed  'doubting' Thomas. The irony, of course, is that those who call him by his nickname are in the exact same position as he was. That is, unless they have incredible faith. Who has not said 'unless I can see with my own eyes I will not believe it.. ? 'After all the saying is 'seeing is believing'.   Jesus spent His earthly ministry preaching, healing and teaching. As well as transforming the hopes and dreams of those whom He met along the way He was also preparing His disciples for a time when He would no longer be with them 'physically' so that He could be with them spiritually for ever. There was no 'magic wand' on Easter Day or on the Day of Penteost. It took the disciples a long time to understand the events that had taken place. when Thomas said 'Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' It was not out of doubt or ingnorance but genuine misunderstanding of the way that things would be. The disciples 'became' the great and wonderful advocates of our faith. They did not start out as the 'finished product'. Like them, like Thomas,  may we be empowered by the Holy Spirit to grow in faith as we continue to walk in the footsteps of Christ. We also pray for Robbie and Karen as they are Confirmed on Sunday.  Blessed be God for ever.