Daily Readings - Thu Jul 03 2025

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

In today's readings, we explore themes of faith, community, and the journey from doubt to belief. The first reading from Ephesians 2:19-22 emphasizes the unity of believers, built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage highlights the Church as a living temple, where each member contributes to the spiritual edifice. The second reading from John 20:24-29 presents Thomas, who embodies the human struggle with doubt. His insistence on seeing Jesus' wounds to believe illustrates the natural skepticism we may face in our faith journeys. These readings connect through their focus on faith within a communal context. Ephesians underscores the collective structure of the Church, while John's narrative zooms in on an individual's faith struggle. Together, they show that faith is both personal and communal. Thomas's doubt serves as a microcosm of the broader community's faith journey, reminding us that questioning can lead to deeper belief. In our daily lives, we may encounter moments of doubt, just as Thomas did. These moments are not weaknesses but opportunities for faith to grow. By embracing our doubts and seeking understanding, we can move towards a stronger, more informed faith. As part of the Christian community, each of us is a living stone in God's temple, contributing to a structure built on Christ's love and truth. Let us, therefore, approach our faith with openness, allowing our doubts to lead us to a deeper connection with Christ and our community.