Daily Readings - Mon Jul 03 2023

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 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.