For some unknown reason, and without checking the lectionary, I was certain the Gospel for this week was based on John 20, the story of Thomas and his questions (note the Gospel does not call him Doubting Thomas) Then I thought perhaps I should check that this is the Gospel for Easter 2, for the first Sunday after Easter.
By sharing our faith/owning our faith we can bring the light of God into a world of darkness. That is why it is okay to identify with Thomas, the doubter—the questioner.
I discovered three things: Firstly, John 20 was not the Gospel appointed for the day; secondly, this Sunday’s Gospel is the story of the wedding at Cana when Jesus turns water into wine; and finally, this Sunday is now referred to as Holy Humour Sunday on the worksheet that guides those who preach, reflect or read in Church.
The joke seems to have been on me..
Holy Humour Sunday is the recovery of an ancient tradition that saw the followers of Jesus host parties, and laugh, and have joyful celebrations for a whole week starting the day after Easter. I know from Sunday mornings that Sheila has a talent for finding humour and joy in what we do on Sundays. I thought it is best to leave the “Holy Humour” for her sermon.
I, for my part, will proceed with a modified reflection based on Questioning Thomas (please note that the use of the word ‘Questioning’ here is a somewhat weak pun to honour humour. Is Thomas questioning or is he being questioned?).
I like to think of Thomas as the patron saint of whose who would like to ask questions; questions about God, Jesus, a life of faith, faith as action not just intellectual ascent to ancient credal formulas, the purpose of the church and so on. One could ask “why is there so much evil in the world?” or “why aren’t my prayers answered?” or “Does God control things like hurricanes, typhoons and volcanoes?”
Many within church communities likely have some (or even all) of these topics as questions. The problem seems to be that we may be uncomfortable asking the questions because most of us have not been taught to ask. We might find the questions unsettling or the answers vague and confusing. We need to be aware that all of our discussions about God and creation are stuck with the limits of our language and perception. We also need to be aware that many thinkers (theologians) might present a variety of opinions on the same topic.
Many of you will remember the slogan used by the parish for a lot of communications: “Come and have your answers questioned”. This slogan is also used widely in the Episcopal Church of the USA. It recognizes that within the Anglican Communion authority rests among scripture, tradition, and reason. We have been blessed with memory, reason and skill which we can use to grow in faith and our understanding in the world around us.
This problem of answers, questions, answers and more questions is likely even greater for many who have left the church and many who have not explored the church as being relevant and life giving. Do these people know that they can ask their questions in a safe place? Have these people experienced love as our neighbours? Do they see the church as life affirming and relevant to today’s world or do they view the church as judgmental, rule oriented and restrictive?
There are two critical parts to this question/answer process. We need to connect with someone whom we can ask. We need be comfortable/brave enough to ask the questions. I think that this is a task that those of us who are members of this faith community can respond to, whether we are a questioner or an answerer or both.
The task is much more difficult with those do not participate in this community.
I think we have to listen carefully to find opportunities to invite people to question, perhaps by introducing topics with a ‘What do you think of…?’ or ‘why to people think that…?
By sharing our faith/owning our faith we can bring the light of God into a world of darkness. That is why it is okay to identify with Thomas, the doubter—the questioner. If those around us know that we have big questions and doubts it is also necessary to recognize the limits of what we can and cannot know with certainty.
You may remember the old adage ‘Talk about anything you like except politics and religion’. I say that given the problems of poverty and homelessness, war, climate change and a fragile economy, that politics and religion may be the topics most worthy of our time and consideration.