Defeating doubt with hope

 The Doubting Thomas of Climate Change

“Unless I see a mountainside burn from west to east and smolder for a month, unless I put my finger to the ashen ground where wildflowers once bloomed and put my hand into the dry hole where a spring once gushed forth, well, even then, I will not believe!”

I wonder. Do you think Thomas was a bit of an Eeyore? Bush pilot Dave Olesen, reminiscing on a 1977 conversation with climate activist Edward Abbey, wrote, "Big soft-spoken man--he seems almost depressed...." Then a quote from him to underscore this: "I'm an optimist. Things are a lot better now than they will be."

Ed, I don’t think that word means what you think it means.

If Thomas was at all like this, no wonder he was disbelieving of what the other disciples told him. 

And if we were the kind of “optimists” Edward Abbey claimed to be, we might decide the story ends right there. 

But we are children of the living God and so children of hope. 

As it says in the book of the prophet Jeremiah, "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope."

Today’s Doubting Thomases close their minds to the actionable knowledge that forms the impetus for our response. And if we were the kind of “optimists” Edward Abbey claimed to be, we might decide the story ends right there. 

But the story of the Apostle Thomas does not end in desperation. It is a story of restoration. It is a story of renewal and, ultimately, it is a story of resurrection

Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see the blackened soil. Reach out your hand and touch the ground. Feel the smoldering heat. Smell the ash. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

We are not Ed’s optimists, we are Christ’s people - and we know, even after he ceased appearing to those first followers of the gospel, his story continues. His challenge, and his promise. 

And becomes our own.

Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with

all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and

the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we

probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know

you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your

eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP page 827)

Written for Climate Change Forum V as closing meditation and prayer. 4/30/22 JRL+

Published in the Arizona Daily Star, Sunday May 15, 2o22, page E3, as "Defeating doubt with hope". 

"Rev. John Leech. The Rev. John Leech is ordained in the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement and has served as a pastor in Northern California and western Washington, and now in Southern Arizona."