Daily Readings - Thu Jul 03 2025

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

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.