Daily Readings - Wed Jul 03 2019

¹⁹Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.²²And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

John

Chapter 20

²⁴Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.²⁵So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."²⁶A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though 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; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."²⁸Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"²⁹Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Sermon

In today's readings, we explore themes of faith, doubt, and the nature of the Christian community. The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that we are part of a larger spiritual household, built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes our unity and purpose as believers, called to be a holy temple where God dwells. The Gospel from John presents us with the story of Thomas, who embodies the human struggle with doubt. Thomas's insistence on seeing and touching Jesus' wounds reflects our own moments of uncertainty. Yet, in this encounter, Jesus offers peace and reassurance, transforming Thomas's doubt into a profound confession of faith: "My Lord and my God." This story highlights the journey from doubt to belief, a journey we all may undertake at times. These readings remind us that faith is not the absence of doubt but the courage to seek and trust in God despite our uncertainties. As part of the body of Christ, we are called to support one another in our faith journeys, understanding that our collective strength lies in our unity and shared belief. Let us embrace our doubts as opportunities to deepen our faith, trusting in God's presence and guidance in our lives.