Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
(James 1:1-11; Mark 8:11-13)
The apostle James emphatically criticizes doubters in today’s first reading. He says that people who ask God for something should not doubt that it will be given. Doubters waver on the question of God’s love for them. They think that God might hold back on a gift as crucial to the faithful as wisdom.
The Church recognizes that not all doubt is morally wrong. “Involuntary doubt” rises from an inability
to make sense about a proposition of faith.
On significant issues such as the resurrection from the dead, those who harbor doubt should investigate it. They would do well to have Catechism and prominent Church authors at hand. More than likely, investigators will discover
a reasonableness that makes the proposition believable.
We must especially take care not to take pride in our
doubts. Some seem to enjoy being “village
atheists” who draw attention to themselves.
If we find a belief difficult to profess, we should find a resolution by
inquiring wise people. We should not
pretend to be wise in front of others.
