Daily Readings - Mon Jul 03 2023

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 Body of Christ. In the first reading from Ephesians, we hear that we are no longer strangers or sojourners but are now citizens of God’s household, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes our unity as believers and our shared identity as a holy temple where God dwells. The Gospel, from John, presents us with the story of Thomas, who struggles with doubt after the Resurrection. Thomas’s insistence on seeing and touching Jesus’ wounds before believing serves as a reminder that faith often requires us to grapple with uncertainty and to seek a deeper encounter with Christ. These readings are deeply connected, as they both speak to the mystery of faith and our relationship with God. The Ephesians passage highlights the communal aspect of faith—our belonging to one another and to God’s household. The Gospel, on the other hand, focuses on the individual’s journey of faith, showing how even in doubt, there is the possibility of growth and deeper understanding. Thomas’s declaration, “My Lord and my God,” reveals that his moment of doubt leads him to a profound confession of faith. Similarly, we are called to move beyond our own doubts and fears, trusting in God’s presence and promises even when we cannot see or fully understand. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace faith as both a gift and a journey. Like Thomas, we may face moments of uncertainty, but these moments can lead us to a deeper trust in God. As members of God’s household, we are called to support one another in faith, creating a community where doubt can be transformed into belief. Let us ask for the grace to live as temples of God’s Spirit, rooted in Christ, and to trust in His presence even when the road ahead seems unclear. May we, like Thomas, come to know Jesus more intimately and proclaim Him as our Lord and God.