Vicar's Message for July
An Apostle After Our Own Hearts
July is finally here! It is the season of school holidays, unpredictable summer weather, and long evenings perfect for catching up with friends. While we enjoy the sunshine, the Church calendar kicks off the month on 3rd July with a celebration for one of the most relatable characters in the Bible: Saint Thomas the Apostle.
Poor Thomas. History has given him a bit of a bad reputation, forever labelling him as "Doubting Thomas." It feels a little unfair. After all, if a group of your closest friends suddenly claimed someone had risen from the dead while you were out running errands, you would probably want to see some proof too! Thomas was simply being practical, and he refused to pretend he understood something when he didn’t.
When Jesus appeared to him a week later, he didn't give Thomas a lecture on his lack of faith or lock him out of the room. Instead, Jesus met him exactly where he was, offered a warm greeting of peace, and invited Thomas to see for himself.
This encounter teaches us some wonderfully comforting lessons about our own faith journeys. For starters, it reminds us that asking questions is completely healthy. God has never been frightened by our confusion or our big "why" questions. In fact, true and lasting belief often comes after we work through a few doubts, meaning that wrestling with our faith is actually how we grow. Thomas also shows us the value of sticking with our community. He got his answers because he stayed connected with the other disciples, even during the week when he wasn't entirely sure what to believe.
Once Thomas saw Jesus, his doubts vanished instantly. He didn't just say, "Oh, okay, I believe you." He cried out, "My Lord and my God!" His story doesn't end there, either. That moment of doubt transformed into a massive burst of energy. Church tradition tells us that Thomas packed his bags and travelled further than almost any other apostle, taking the Christian message all the way to India. His honest questions built an unshakeable faith that changed the world.
So, what does this mean for us this July? It means we can stop trying to be "perfect" Christians who have everything completely figured out. God welcomes our whole selves—our joyful summer celebrations, our everyday busy schedules, and our quiet, lingering questions.
This month, let’s give ourselves permission to be a bit more like Thomas. Let’s ask the big questions, stay close to our community, and look for God in the unexpected moments of our summer.
With grace, peace and every blessing
Fr Paul
Priest in Charge of Par, Charlestown, St Blaise and Treverbyn (The Clay to Coast Benefice)