Entrance Antiphon Cf.Ps118:28.21
You are my God, and I confess you: you are my God, and I exalt you; I will thank you, for you became my saviour.
Collect
Grant, almighty God, that we may glory in the feast of the blessed Apostle Thomas, so that he may always be sustained by his intercession, and, believing, may have life in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, whom Thomas acknowledged as the Lord. Who lives and reigns with you…
FIRST READING
You are built upon the foundation of the apostles.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians2:19-22)
Brethren: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm117:1.2 (R.Mark16:15)
R. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.
O praise the Lord, all you nations;
acclaim him, all you peoples! R.
For his merciful love has prevailed over us;
and the Lord’s faithfulness endures for ever. R.
ALLELUIA John 20:29
Alleluia. You believed, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“My Lord and my God!”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 20:24-29)
Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord. ”But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “You have believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
St Thomas professed faith in the risen Christ after his encounter with him in the company of others. this faith experience not only cleared the dark cloud of doubt and uncertainty around him but also reinforced his hope, as it brought out the value of a united faith. This deep and personal faith of St Thomas is all that Christians need for them to be fully integrated into the life of Christ and the worshipping community. That is why Saint Paul portrays the Church as a family where any form of discrimination or division based on caste, race, tribe, creed or gender is no longer tolerated. For all are united by the Spirit of God that abides forever in us.