Daily Readings - Thu Jul 03 2025

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, 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.