| PITH Press |
| July 2009 Readings |
|
|
|
July 3, 2009, Friday St. Thomas, APOSTLE Read: Eph. 2: 19-22 Jn. 20: 24-29 "‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he 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.’" (Jn. 20:25)God began an intimate relationship of love with us because He wanted to, not because we had any right to Him or His love. This divine friendship is a gift -- a grace. He set the conditions by which we enjoy His love, His friendship: Faith. Faith is a reciprocal process. God imparts information (revelation) and grace. We respond with acceptance (belief) and action. St. Thomas heard from his companions that they had seen the Lord. Yet Thomas placed as a condition on belief -- the reception of further information. Thomas reduced the value of his faith to the same value as his and his friend’s knowledge. Knowledge and faith are very distinct things. Faith is worth much more in the eyes of Jesus. Faith comes through other's information about Jesus’ resurrection. We too receive information about God through others: Via His Church : His voice and guide in the world. "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you... I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Mt. 28:19-20)Reflection and commentary Psalm 19:10-11 "The statutes of the LORD are true, all of them just; more desirable than gold."St. Thomas, d. 1c.; his doubting gave way to faith when he was the risen Lord; associated with founding the Church in south India; mentioned in the Roman Canon; patron of builders, India and Pakistan. |
|
|
© 2009, PITH Press All rights Reserved |