July 3, 2013

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Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle 

Lectionary: 593

Reading 1EPH 2:19-22

Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

We are the Church, we are the Body of Christ.  Together with Christ, we are a new creation, adopted sons of the Father.

Responsorial PsalmPS 117:1BC, 2

R. (Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Praise the LORD, all you nations;

glorify him, all you peoples!

R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

For steadfast is his kindness for us,

and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.

R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

We are given the Great Commission.  To go and teach the Word of God by our word and example.  That others may be saved by our love:

1 Peter 4:8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 

GospelJN 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,

was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

But Thomas said to them,

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands

and put my finger into the nailmarks

and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside

and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked,

and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,

and bring your hand and put it into my side,

and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

We are they who believe without having seen.  The Apostles were given a great gift.  God walked with them as a man.  We are given a greater gift.  The gift of faith to believe their testimony and be saved.  We see Jesus through their eyes.  We see Jesus through their testimony.  We have not seen Him and yet believe.  The Scripture says:

John 17:20Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;