We proclaim it every Easter: Christ is risen from the grave!

If people weren’t willing to believe the testimony of those who’d seen Jesus,

the faith would soon die out.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊   

Ephesians 2:19-22

Now, you are no longer strangers or guests,

But fellow citizens of the holy people: you are of the household of God.

You are the house, whose foundations are the apostles and prophets, and whose cornerstone is Christ Jesus.

In him, the whole structure is joined together, and rises to be a holy temple in the Lord.

In him, you too are being built to become the spiritual Sanctuary of God.

 

Ps 117: 1bc, 2 Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

 

  ＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 20:24-29

Thomas, the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

The other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord."

But he replied, "Until I have seen in his hands the print of the nails,

and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

 

Eight days later, the disciples were again inside the house and Thomas was with them.

Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you!"

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; stretch out your hand,

and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe!"

Thomas said, "You are my Lord and my God." Jesus replied, "You believe because you see me,

don't you? Happy are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"You believe because you see me."

"You are the house whose foundations are the apostles and prophets."

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Thomas, whose faith in the Risen Lord forms part of that apostolic and prophetic foundation.

Rather than understanding Thomas's refusal to believe other people's testimony as a weakness on his part,

we thank God that his first-hand experience becomes further evidence upon which to build our faith.

 

"You believe because you see me, don't you? Happy are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

We have not seen and yet we believe because of those who did see. Our faith is a gift from God,

a gift that is nourished by the revealed Word of God by which the Church hands on the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Saint Thomas is also venerated as the Apostle who brought the Gospel to India and other lands of the East.

Let us pray for a continued spread of the Good News of Jesus Christ. May our testimony help others to come to faith.