Daily Readings - Fri Jul 03 2020

¹⁹Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;²⁰And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;²¹In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:²²In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

John

Chapter 20

²⁴But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.²⁵The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.²⁶And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.²⁷Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.²⁸And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.²⁹Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that 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.