Reading 1
Eph 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.
Gospel
Jn 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."
Meditation: Ephesians 2:9-22
St. Thomas
You are … built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. (Ephesians 2:19,20)
That’s an unsettling statement, isn’t it? If we really are built on the foundation of the apostles, it’s a miracle that the church survived its first decades, let alone the past two thousand years! Paul, for instance, “persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it” (Galatians 1:13). John wanted to destroy a whole town simply because the people didn’t treat Jesus with enough deference (Luke 9:51-56). Peter denied Jesus in his darkest hour (Matthew 26:69-75). And Thomas, whom we celebrate today, is best known for his doubts and disbelief.
How can we place confidence in our church when it is built on such an unstable foundation? By remembering that Jesus is the capstone who holds us all together. Like us, the apostles were regular people with their own flaws and imperfections. It was only because of God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s power that they were able to turn their lives around and end up doing great things for the Lord. And that’s good news. For if there was hope for Paul, John, Thomas, and Peter, there is certainly hope for us!
Isn’t it encouraging to know that the great heroes of our faith were just as flawed—and maybe even more so—as you? Their stories tell us that no matter who we are or where we come from, God can use us in powerful ways. Take Thomas, for example. This man, who couldn’t believe his closest friends’ testimony, ended up traveling as far as India, boldly preaching the gospel and establishing the church there. Clearly, Thomas overcame his objections and fears enough to become a vessel for the Lord to use. And if it can happen to him, it surely can happen to you!
So take comfort today in the knowledge that we are all “fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). They are our brothers and sisters, and their stories can teach us how to persevere with the Lord, despite our own weaknesses and failings. God is faithful to us, just as he was to the apostles. Like them, we can all become a new creation in Christ!
“Jesus, teach me how to build my life on the foundation of your unfailing love and grace.”
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