Of course we can find some sort
of meaning for ourselves in a variety of pursuits and achievements
that keep us going from day to day. On the lower end of the spectrum,
we have experiences like winning a football match (or perhaps
just getting on the team!); redecorating the house (or maybe
just the back bedroom!); being elected chairperson of a parish
(or even a Dáil!) committee. At the higher end of the spectrum
we could include giving birth to a baby; or saving someone from
death; or simply enhancing the quality of life of a fellow human
being.
All of these experiences can bring us a level of satisfaction
or even fulfilment. Such satisfaction, however, rarely abides.
The experience must be extended or repeated if the fulfilment
is to endure.
Viktor Frankl, in his book, 'Man’s Search
for Meaning', describes how he, while a prisoner in a Nazi concentration
camp,
saw many of his fellow prisoners fall apart in face of the awful
sufferings they were called upon to endure, while others held
on bravely. The latter, Frankl found, were those who believed
their lives had ‘ultimate meaning’; their faith was
able to bring them remarkable strength.
But it isn’t just in the matter
of survival that faith in ultimate meaning comes into play.
Such faith pervades the
whole of ordinary, everyday life by contributing to those who
have it a depth of serenity seldom, if ever, found in those who
lack it.
What kind of faith are we talking about? Faith that our lives
have a purpose, and that we have a destiny beyond this earthly
existence; and that this destiny does not depend on achievement
or worldly success, but on trust in God.
Despite the protestations of his trusted
friends and fellow apostles that they had seen the risen Jesus,
Thomas was not prepared
to accept. He had to feel the holes and see the marks on Jesus’ body.
His reluctance earned him an implied, if gentle, rebuke from
the Lord. But the words which followed have encouraged millions
of believers down the centuries: “You believe, Thomas,
because you can see. Happy are those who have not seen and yet
believe.” Happy indeed!
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