Today is the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle - you know the doubting one who had to stick his grubby fingers in the wounds of the Resurrected Christ to believe? Yeah, him. There are probably a lot of things that can be said to encourage us in thinking about Thomas, ourselves, doubt, faith, etc., but I haven't prepared a "blomily" for today (I think I just coined a new phrase - I expect credit! ha).
Another thing about St. Thomas that many of you may or may not have heard, is a story passed down through history, of what he did after he skeedaddled out of Judea. Apparently he followed an already established Roman trading route to India and well, did what Apostles did there, spread the Gospel and started a church. How about that? Of course all this probably needs more study and all that, but there is much evidence already that this is very likely the case, and that he was martyred there, as were most of his apostolic brethren in their respective places of ministry.
This kind of story is fascinating to me. If you're interested in Church history at all, it probably is to you as well. There are still Christians in this region of India, who have, apparently, always been there, for a very long time anyway. They celebrate a liturgy which is quite ancient, containing elements in the Syriac language. Anyway, you might want to read some more on Mike Aquilina's blog here.
And now for a bit of encouragement for us all in this separated Christian world. My friend Peter White tipped me off to a letter John Wesley wrote in 1749 to a Roman Catholic. Here are some encouraging ending words from Father Wesley (that's an older painting of him there, he wrote this much younger I think) - we would all do well to take heed...
Then, if we cannot as yet think alike in all things, at least we may love alike. Herein we cannot possibly do amiss. For of one point none can doubt a moment, -- ‘God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.’
In the name, then, and in the strength of God, let us resolve first, not to hurt one another; to do nothing unkind or unfriendly to each other, nothing which we would not have done to ourselves. Rather let us endeavor after every instance of a. kind, friendly, and Christian behavior towards each other.
Let us resolve secondly, God being our helper, to speak nothing harsh or unkind of each other. The sure way to avoid this is to say all the good we can both of and to one another; in all our conversation, either with or concerning each other, to use only the language of love to speak with all Softness and tenderness, with the most endearing expression which is consistent with truth and sincerity.
Let us, thirdly, resolve to harbor no unkind thought, no unfriendly temper, towards each other. Let us lay the axe to the root of the tree; let us examine all that rises in our heart, and suffer no disposition there which is contrary to tender affection. Then shall we easily refrain from unkind actions and word~ when the very root of bitterness is cut up.
Let us, fourthly, endeavor to help each other on in whatever we are agreed leads to the kingdom. So far as we can, let us always rejoice to strengthen each other’s hands in God. Above all, let us each take heed to himself (since each must give an account of himself to God) that he fall not short of the religion of love, that he be not condemned in that he himself approveth. O let you and I (whatever others do) press on to the prize of our high calling! that, being justified by faith, we may have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; that we may rejoice in God through Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the atonement; that the love of God may be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Let us count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord; being ready for Him to suffer the loss of all things, and counting them but dung that we may win Christ.--I am
Your affectionate servant for Christ’s sake.
That right there, people, is some good words. Let us hear and act accordingly. God's Grace be with us.
"Then, if we cannot as yet think alike in all things, at least we may love alike. Herein we cannot possibly do amiss." John Wesley
"Keep your eyes on the crucifix, for Jesus without the cross
is a man without a mission, and the cross without Jesus
is a burden without a reliever." Fulton J. Sheen
"...I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be
completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self." Henri Nouwen
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Today is the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle - you know the doubting one who had to stick his grubby fingers in the wounds of the Resurrected Christ to believe? Yeah, him. There are probably a lot of things that can be said to encourage us in thinking about Thomas, ourselves, doubt, faith, etc., but I haven't prepared a "blomily" for today (I think I just coined a new phrase - I expect credit! ha).
And now for a bit of encouragement for us all in this separated Christian world. My friend Peter White tipped me off to a letter John Wesley wrote in 1749 to a Roman Catholic. Here are some encouraging ending words from Father Wesley (that's an older painting of him there, he wrote this much younger I think) - we would all do well to take heed...
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