The 13th Sunday After Pentecost, (Proper 14A), Aug. 10, 2008
BCP: Jonah 2:1-9; Psalm29; Rom. 9:1-5; Matt. 14:22-33
RCL: Gen. 37:1-4, 12-28 and Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; 1 Kings 19:9-18 and Psalm 85:8-13; Rom. 10:5-15; Matt. 14:22-33
Skeptics who know little about Christianity are often surprised to learn how often Jesus speaks of doubt. His disciples frequently provide living examples of how to question the message of the gospel. As we read in the gospel for the day, Jesus exclaims, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:31).
Still, skeptics can’t be dismissed just because they don’t know the Bible. For one thing, doubt can be put to good use; it can be a valuable gift to sort out the true from the false. While people in the time of Jesus thought that a miraculous event — like Jesus walking on water (Matt. 14:25) — could signify the power of God, thoughtful people today question claims of any events that seem to break well-established scientific rules like the law of gravity. And this scientific doubt helps researchers to criticize inadequate ideas and replace them with powerful new theories.
Believers, in turn, may ask how much skepticism about nature miracles in the Bible really matters. Surely it is possible to question whether Jesus walked on water in the way Matthew describes and not feel that our faith is threatened. One perplexing Bible story means little compared, for example, to the moments when we are able to sense the presence of God’s grace in our lives.
Yet Christians have no use for the unhealthy kind of doubt that questions any surprising and potentially grace-filled event. This is a problem with believers in every age. Christ’s own solution to the problem is to bolster his followers’ defenses against skepticism. Jesus says that the disciples doubt because they are “of little faith.” If the faithful really were full of faith, they wouldn’t challenge God’s gifts to them.
Instead, we Christians would increase our faith by paying attention to what really matters to our souls. We don’t need to have scientifically acceptable theories of nature miracles in order to be nourished and healed by the living Christ within us. We don’t need to walk on water to experience the miraculous freedom of the children of God.
It would be better for us to remember the experience of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-12). In periods of uncertainty, the Lord speaks not in spectacular winds or earthquakes, but in a small voice within us.
And whatever we think or feel, we can always do as Jonah did: “I called to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me…” (Jonah 2:2).
Look It Up
In the story of the disciple known as “doubting” Thomas (John 20:24-29), Jesus remarks, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
Think About It
Are you plagued by doubt? Is it possible that some of your doubt is healthy skepticism that will keep you from being fooled by false religion?
Next Sunday
The 14th Sunday After Pentecost, (Proper 15A), Aug. 17, 2008
BCP: Isaiah 56:1(2-5)6-7; Psalm 67; Rom. 11:13-15, 29-32; Matt. 15:21-28
RCL: Gen. 45:1-15 and Psalm 133; or Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 and Psalm 67; Rom. 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matt. 15: (10-20) 21-28
