Daily Readings - Wed Jul 03 2024

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

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 in the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes our unity and belonging within the Church, which is likened to a holy temple where God dwells. It reminds us that our faith is not a solitary journey but one that is deeply rooted in a communal and historical tradition. The Gospel from John presents us with the familiar story of Thomas, often called "Doubting Thomas." Thomas, who was not present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after his resurrection, refuses to believe unless he can see and touch the wounds of Christ. When Jesus appears to him and invites him to do so, Thomas’s response is one of profound faith: "My Lord and my God." Jesus then blesses those who have not seen but still believe. This story highlights the human struggle with doubt and the importance of seeking evidence for our faith. Yet, it also points to the deeper truth that true faith transcends physical sight and is rooted in trust and surrender. These readings are connected by the theme of faith and community. The Ephesians passage reminds us that we are part of a larger spiritual structure, built on the foundation of those who have come before us. The Gospel story of Thomas, on the other hand, shows us that faith is not always easy or straightforward. It can be tested by doubt and uncertainty, but it is precisely in these moments that we are called to deeper trust. In our daily lives, we are challenged to live out our faith in the midst of challenges and uncertainties, trusting in God’s presence even when we cannot see or touch him. Let us remember that we are not alone in this journey; we are part of a holy temple, a living Body of Christ, and our faith is strengthened by the faith of those around us. May we, like Thomas, move from doubt to faith, and may we, like the early Christians, be living stones in the temple of God.