Welcome, children of God.  And that is what every single soul that ever was or will be is…a beloved child of God.

Welcome, Doubting Thomases, whose logic troubles our faith.  And that is also every single one of us. 

C.S. Lewis wrote: “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us. We are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”

Did you ever notice that the apostle Thomas is called Thomas the twin. But his twin is never mentioned or named.  That’s because his twin is in us, whether he is in our conscious or unconscious and whether we admit it or not. 

Actually, this is good news, because that logical twin can help us keep from turning faith into superstition.  And also, when we do experience or witness miracles, it helps us avoid the delusion that this life is supposed to be heaven and miracles will save us from all suffering.

The apostle Thomas’s logical mind not only paid attention to the miracles he witnessed, but unlike Peter, Thomas also accepted what Jesus said about the suffering ahead.  So, when Jesus announced that he was going to Jerusalem, Thomas realized that this was not going to end well. But, Thomas responded, “Jesus, if you are going, I am coming with you.”

That, brothers and sisters, is love. 

There are faith, hope, and love.  And the greatest of these is love.