The exultation of faith

	Word to Life  By Jean Denton

I was happy my son telephoned today. He was just "checking in" to say hello, he said. We chatted only briefly. Neither of us had anything major to report, but I was very glad to hear his voice, and after we hung up I had a sense of joy.

I hadn't heard from my son in three weeks, which isn't so long, but he usually is in touch about once a week, so I was wondering if he was okay. In fact, I was pretty sure nothing was amiss, but there are just enough trying circumstances in his life that I had some doubts.

March 30, 2008 Second Sunday of Easter / Divine Mercy Sunday Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31

Speaking to him allayed my fears, giving way to the joy of knowing all was well. I had been "pretty sure" before, but now I was certain. Somehow, "pretty sure" just doesn't carry the same sense of exultation that "sure" does.

So it goes with faith. By definition it has a flip side: doubt.

In this weekend's readings Peter explains that doubt creates a drag on our sense of joy for the salvation we will receive through Jesus. Our human life is a test, he suggests, and it carries discomfort. But in order to find salvation, we must constantly seek Jesus' presence through faith.

When we identify with Thomas in the Gospel passage, we know that Jesus will offer us moments to touch him. We have these moments when we experience acts of care, mercy, or even sacrifice. Recognizing Jesus in such moments bolsters our faith in salvation by giving us a taste of heaven.

	For reflection: • What causes you to have doubts about salvation through Christ? • What was a recent experience you had of "touching" Jesus? How did it affect your doubt?

When my son called, he didn't tell me he had resolved any problems, but the positive tenor of his conversation showed his trust in God's providence. Choosing to share it with me restored my belief in Jesus being present to both of us. At such a time, Peter notes, "Although you have not seen him you love him."

Those moments provide what Peter calls "genuineness of your faith" - something on which to hang our belief against occasions when worldliness drags doubt back into our human experience.

This column is offered in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.