Believing Is Not Seeing
John 20: 19-31
A Sermon by the Reverend Odette Lockwood-Stewart
Confirmation Sunday

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Today eight youth have been confirmed.  These youth, like Thomas, were not there in that upper room on Easter night. 2000 years later, these youth have heard stories, but have not seen the risen Christ, nor touched his wounds with their own hands.  They have not seen, and yet they have come ... to believe.

This morning, I speak to our whole confirmation class, ... and I invite you all to listen in.

As I said at our first meeting with you and your parents, and as Andrea and I have repeated throughout these intense weeks of study, retreat, field trips, and service, confirmation is another beginning in a life- long faith journey.  In our order of worship, are these words, “confirmation seeks to make firm what has gone before.”  What has gone before – caring parents and extended family who shared faith traditions, - and brought you to church.  What has gone before –  Sunday School, Bible stories, communion, prayer, watching faith lived out in loving service.  What has gone before - God’s Spirit working in you. What has gone before – baptism and parents and a community that have told you in word, action and song that you ... and all people ... are welcome to the love of God.

To be confirmed, to “join the church”, means saying, “yes” to what has gone before, “yes” to claiming the name Christian, “yes” to claiming Epworth United Methodist Church as your church family, “yes” to claiming your ongoing journey as followers of Jesus as your journey. Some of you have said “yes” to this moment, this confirmation. And some of you have said “yes” to taking more time to discern and decide.

Faith is not a one-time decision.  Faith is not knowing or understanding all things – scripture teaches us that now we see in a mirror dimly.  All of us know only partially no matter how certain we are.  Faith is trust.  Jesus taught that if we have faith as tiny as a mustard seed, it will grow! William Penn wrote, “Live up to the light thou hast and more will be given thee.”  Live up to the light you have within you, and more will be given to you.  

You are children of God, created in the image of God, and loved by God. Today you accept response-ability for living into that image, letting that living relationship shape your lives.  Confirmation is the beginning of intentional discipleship, choosing to follow Jesus and spending a lifetime figuring out what that means.  

In our Gospel lesson this morning, we heard that on Easter night Thomas was absent from the room when Jesus came to the disciples. Now Thomas had heard what others said. They said that Jesus came and stood among them...and said, “Peace be with you.” Then Jesus showed them the wounds on his hands and side. The same Jesus who taught, fed, healed, suffered and died still lived! They said, “We have seen the Lord!”

But Thomas said, “There is no way I will believe unless I see it for myself.  Unless I touch Jesus, and touch his wounds to know for myself, I will not believe.”  

So – in confirmation class we began with your questions.   This “Truths” jar held questions because Truth is not always giving answers... it is asking and living with real questions.  Each week you wrote down questions – we studied and had good conversations.  Hear just some of these questions:

Who is God? What is God?

Why was Jesus human?

Why did people decide to become Jesus’ disciples?

How do I help those in need that are far away?

Why are there different forms of Christianity?

Why do people fight over religions?

How does Islam relate to Christianity or Judaism?

Why is the New Testament not in the Jewish Bible?

Did God make evil?

Why did Jesus get crucified?

What can I do in my own life to help others?

Is Hell a person?

Is God responsible for our mistakes or the people who make mistakes?

Some of our conversations led to... more questions! Joining a community of faith means that we do not face important questions, even the most difficult questions, alone.Jesus did not judge Thomas for wanting to see and touch and know for himself.  Jesus invited Thomas to see and to touch!  Jesus invites us to come and see, to learn for ourselves... with each other.

In our first class session we created timelines – I made a timeline of world events beginning in 1998, historical events that occurred during your lifetime...  so far.  Then you drew timelines of your personal histories, charting important events in your lives. Then you added to these a timeline of your faith journeys... so far.  As we talked about the relationship between these three timelines, world, personal and faith, I saw theology in action.  It was wonderful!

At later sessions, Andrea led you through timelines of world faith traditions, especially Judaism and the many branches of Christianity.  You also learned about the beginnings of the Methodist movement.  Your story is part of a larger story that is still unfolding.

We don’t grow in faith by pretending to be perfect. We grow by God’s grace, as we practice, stretch, and risk aligning the thousands of tiny decisions and tiny movements of our daily lives with God’s Spirit. We all get distracted.  And sometimes we get lost.  But wherever your life journey leads you, pay attention and ask for help.  Every single day I mess up,... and I ask for help.

In the vows of church membership, you promised five things:  your – PRAYERS, PRESENCE, GIFTS, SERVICE, and WITNESS.

That means you have promised... to SHOW UP!  To show up by praying for others... To show up by being in worship, study, service, and play to strengthen yourself and to help strengthen others... To show up by giving your time and talent and money to the ministries of the church,... To show up in the world, at school, in your neighborhood, for God’s love and justice.

We praise God for who you are and who you are becoming.  This congregation claims you, cares for you, and learns from you. You are youth, but you are also elders to the children in this community. As your journey continues, continue to ask questions! Come and see and trust the new creation, the kindom of God among you.

These words from a song from Iona remind me of Thomas... and you:

        I need to know that God is real
        I need to know that Christ can feel
        The need to touch and love and heal
        The world, including me

Amen.