Sermon Notes 3-30-08

- "Doubt, writes Frederick Beuchner, is the ants in the pants of faith. Doubt keeps faith awake and moving."

Thomas and his doubt
• What great things God does through ordinary people:
o Peter,
• Peter who struggled but still God accomplished great things through him.
• It is the seeking of God that makes the difference…
• Just like Francis.
o Great things God did through Thomas and Francis

Thomas is at a crossroads.
• The question is "what will he become?"---faithful or unfaithful, trusting or untrusting? His question is commendable---his desire to be sure---is an aspect of his faith in God and in Jesus.

"Questions are good--- we are on a path, with very few answers" (Burger).
• The moment we stop asking questions is the moment we cease to be on a journey of faith.
• Only God knows and is the Truth, we are seekers… but we do not seek alone.
• Thomas, with questions, stays with his community even though his questions could've led him elsewhere.

Eucharist/Communion---
• Being together, receiving Christ,
• Sends us as Jesus was sent, but more importantly as the body of Christ which we are, and are becoming more and more as we receive…

Augustine said: “receive what you are, the body of Christ broken and poured out for the world.” Questions, doubts, and all…