Daily Readings - Fri Jul 03 2020

¹⁹So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,²¹in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.²²In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

John

Chapter 20

²⁴Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.²⁵So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."²⁶Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."²⁷Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."²⁸Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"²⁹Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? 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.