Daily Scripture, July 3, 2025
Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle
Scripture:
Ephesians 2:19-22
John 20:24-29
Reflection:
The story of Thomas challenges us to appreciate the actual value of community life and the reality that being a Christian has both a private and social dimension – both are vital.
In fact, Thomas’s experience serves us very well in this present age – an age that is overly dependent on scientific methods and empirical proof.
Retracing his story, we can see that when Thomas is absent and away from the community, he struggles with accepting personal testimony and witness, despite this being reinforced by the commonality of the experience of the other disciples.
He falls back on a need for empirical proof – ‘unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Yet, a week later, when he was with the disciples, he shared in a common experience of faith. Jesus is with the community, and Thomas shares in this moment.
Now we see that Thomas does not need proofs; in fact, he neither asks for them nor needs to accept them, even when Jesus offers.
Today, let us be thankful for the witness, companionship, prayer and support of those around us. The experience of the community can reinforce, strengthen and enlighten our faith journey, and we, in turn, support others in and through our witness.
Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is the Provincial Superior of Holy Spirit Province, Australia.
Scripture: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 Matthew 13:31-35 Reflection: Today’s scripture readings provide us with a compelling comparison between building a golden calf and building the Kingdom of God! We all know » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 24:3-8 Matthew 13:24-30 Reflection: Frank is a recovering drug addict. Though scarred, he’s one of the few who have made it through the scourge of cocaine coupled with » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17 Matthew 13:18-23 Reflection: Testing from the Lord When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Matthew 20:20-28 Reflection: "Embodied Spirituality" is a buzz word floating through many contemporary spiritual circles. It arose as a corrective response to the massive and crippling » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15 Matthew 13:1-9 Reflection: "Here in the desert the whole assembly of the children of Israel grumbled." Exodus 16:2 There is a lot of grumbling in the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 14:21-15:1 Matthew 12:46-50 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew, Jesus is speaking to the crowds when someone tells Him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, » Continue Reading.
Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene Scripture: Exodus 14:5-18 John 20:1-2, 11-18 Reflection: "The Lord Himself will fight for you. You have only to keep still." Exodus 14:14 Isn’t it hard » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Genesis 18:1-10a Colossians 1:24-28 Luke 10:38-42 Reflection: Today we hear instances of hospitality in our scriptural presentations. Abraham entertains three gentlemen passing by his tent door, and Martha/Mary provide » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 12: 37-42 Matthew 12: 14-21 Reflection: Has any historical event so important been described in such an understated way? In today’s first reading from Exodus we read the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 11:10-12:14 Matthew 12:1-8 Reflection: "For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath." Matthew 12:8 The readings for today’s Mass draw us into two very dramatic » Continue Reading.