First reading Ephesians 2:19-22
In Christ you are no longer aliens, but citizens like us
You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm 116(117):1-2
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
or
Alleluia!
O praise the Lord, all you nations,
acclaim him all you peoples!
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
or
Alleluia!
Strong is his love for us;
he is faithful for ever.
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
or
Alleluia!
Gospel John 20:24-29
‘My Lord and my God!’
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:
‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
_______________________________________________
Doubt no more, believe!
Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle, who is often known as “Doubting Thomas”. When the Risen Jesus first appeared to His disciples, Thomas was not with them. The other disciples told him they had seen Jesus alive, but he responded, “Unless I can see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe”. Thomas sought the truth because he was still grieving from witnessing the crucifixion of Jesus, which led him to hesitate in believing what the others told him. A week later, Jesus went to Thomas as he was, in his doubts and scepticism, and invited him to touch His wounds. This message is comforting for us: Jesus meets us as we are, despite our flaws and past mistakes, calling us to “doubt no longer but believe”.
Let us ask St. Thomas to help us strengthen our faith and transform our doubts into deeper trust so that we can follow Jesus more faithfully.
Reflective question:
What does today’s Gospel mean for me in my own journey of faith?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
