Daily Readings - Fri Jul 03 2020

¹⁹Now, therefore, you are no longer visitors and new arrivals. Instead, you are citizens among the saints in the household of God²⁰having been built upon the foundation of the Apostles and of the Prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the preeminent cornerstone²¹In him, all that has been built is framed together, rising up into a holy temple in the Lord²²In him, you also have been built together into a habitation of God in the Spirit

John

Chapter 20

²⁴Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus arrived²⁵Therefore, the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I will see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the place of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will not believe.²⁶And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas was with them. Jesus arrived, though the doors had been closed, and he stood in their midst and said, "Peace to you.²⁷Next, he said to Thomas: "Look at my hands, and place your finger here; and bring your hand close, and place it at my side. And do not choose to be unbelieving, but faithful.²⁸Thomas responded and said to him, "My Lord and my God.²⁹Jesus said to him: "You have seen me, Thomas, so you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith and our place within the household of God. In the first reading from Ephesians, we hear that we are no longer strangers or outsiders but are now citizens among the saints, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes our unity and belonging within the Body of Christ, a holy temple where God dwells. It reminds us that our faith is not individualistic but communal, rooted in a shared history and a shared mission. The Gospel from John presents us with the story of Thomas, often called "Doubting Thomas." Thomas, absent when the risen Jesus first appeared to the disciples, refuses to believe unless he can see and touch the wounds of Christ. When Jesus appears again, he invites Thomas to do just that, and Thomas responds with a profound confession of faith: "My Lord and my God." Jesus then blesses those who believe without seeing, pointing to the kind of faith we are called to have. This passage highlights the tension between doubt and faith, and the patience of God in meeting us where we are. Together, these readings remind us that faith is both a gift and a journey. Like Thomas, we may struggle with doubts or uncertainties, but God is patient and gracious, inviting us to draw closer and deepen our trust in Him. The Ephesians reading also calls us to remember that our faith is not just about personal belief but about being part of a larger community, a temple where God’s presence dwells. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask for the grace to embrace our faith with humility and courage, trusting in God’s presence even when we cannot see, and living as faithful members of His household.