Doubt and Disbelief!

Doubt and disbelief touches all our lives, especially when, something in our life or an event occurs that is overwhelming, leaving us speechless and doubting the reality that this something is happening to us or our family and friends. Often it is only in retrospect that we can see this ‘happening’ in a different light.

Andrew Denton, in his ‘Elders’ series, interviewed Fr Des Reid in 2008. Fr Des spoke of being an alcoholic and the doubts and disbeliefs that ‘seized him in this

battle with the drink.’ He states: ‘I never understood why God would allow me to be an alcoholic. I could not see any reason, any good, ever in it. I begged Him – anything else but not alcoholism – any other disease but not this one.’

Denton goes on to ask him: ‘And what do you see as the reason now?’ Fr Des: I see the reason very clearly now ...each Monday people walk in the door and say “Father I need to speak to you  ...they never tell me outright but after awhile I am able to say to them, ‘Well you’re drinking too much, that’s all that’s wrong with you.’ ‘How did you know?’ ‘Because I was there. Because the only qualification that a practising alcoholic will accept for advice is someone who has been through it.’ [pg134]

 He opened their minds to understand

In today’s Gospel [Luke 25:35- 48] Luke gives us one of the accounts of the Risen Lord’s appearance to the Apostles. He appears among them offering them his peace. Yet we hear in the narrative the following reactions: they are in a state of alarm, frightened, and seeing a ghost! Leaving Jesus to ask ‘Why are you so agitated, why are these doubts rising in your hearts?’

Jesus has to allow himself to be touched by them, to eat before their eyes in order to convince them, it is indeed himself, the Crucified One, now restored to life – wholly different but the same.

The joy is overwhelming, they are speechless. Like on the road to Emmaus he explains the mystery of the Cross and opens their minds to the wonders of the Scriptures.

During this week may we grow in our own understanding of what God has allowed in ourlife - our own life challenges-  as we renew our trust in our ‘Good God’s’ plans and guidance for us.  

Marie Weatherall