Daily Readings - Wed Jul 03 2024

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 in the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes our unity and belonging within the Church, which is likened to a holy temple where God dwells. It reminds us that our faith is not a solitary journey but one that is deeply rooted in a communal and historical tradition. The Gospel from John presents us with the familiar story of Thomas, often called "Doubting Thomas." Thomas, who was not present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after his resurrection, refuses to believe unless he can see and touch the wounds of Christ. When Jesus appears to him and invites him to do so, Thomas’s response is one of profound faith: "My Lord and my God." Jesus then blesses those who have not seen but still believe. This story highlights the human struggle with doubt and the importance of seeking evidence for our faith. Yet, it also points to the deeper truth that true faith transcends physical sight and is rooted in trust and surrender. These readings are connected by the theme of faith and community. The Ephesians passage reminds us that we are part of a larger spiritual structure, built on the foundation of those who have come before us. The Gospel story of Thomas, on the other hand, shows us that faith is not always easy or straightforward. It can be tested by doubt and uncertainty, but it is precisely in these moments that we are called to deeper trust. In our daily lives, we are challenged to live out our faith in the midst of challenges and uncertainties, trusting in God’s presence even when we cannot see or touch him. Let us remember that we are not alone in this journey; we are part of a holy temple, a living Body of Christ, and our faith is strengthened by the faith of those around us. May we, like Thomas, move from doubt to faith, and may we, like the early Christians, be living stones in the temple of God.