Happy Feast Day! Today, July 3, 2026, we gather to celebrate a man who is deeply relatable to almost every one of us at some point in our lives: Saint Thomas the Apostle.
We often know him by the nickname "Doubting Thomas," but as we dive into today’s readings and reflect on the mission of the Church, we see that Thomas was so much more than his moments of uncertainty. He was a foundational pillar of the early Church, a courageous missionary to India, and a man whose honest questions led to one of the most profound confessions of faith in history.
In this post, we’ll walk through the daily readings for this feast: Ephesians 2:19-22 and John 20:24-29: and see how Thomas’s journey from doubt to "My Lord and my God" is still being lived out today through the work of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA).
The Foundation of the Apostles: No More Strangers
In our first reading today, St. Paul writes to the Ephesians with words that are incredibly comforting. He tells them: and us: that we are "no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God."
Think about that for a second. In a world where so many people feel like outsiders or like they don't quite "fit in," Paul tells us that in the Church, we have a home. We aren't just guests; we are fellow citizens.
But how is this house built? Paul says it is "built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone."
Saint Thomas is part of that foundation.
It’s easy to think that God only uses "perfect" people to build His Church. We might imagine the Apostles as statues of marble, always sure of themselves and never wavering. But the reality is much more beautiful. God built His Church on real men like Thomas: men who struggled, men who asked "How can we know the way?", and men who sometimes needed to see to believe.
This is a powerful reminder that God uses our whole selves: our questions, our journey, and even our doubts: to build His household. Your questions don't disqualify you from being a "living stone" in God’s temple; they often become the very places where God’s grace takes the deepest root.
"My Lord and My God": When Doubt Meets Mercy
The Gospel of John (20:24-29) gives us the famous scene we all remember. The other Apostles are ecstatic because they have seen the risen Lord. Thomas, who wasn't there, is naturally skeptical. "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks… I will not believe."
Eight days later, Jesus appears again. He doesn't scold Thomas. He doesn't cast him out for his lack of faith. Instead, He offers exactly what Thomas needs: His presence. He invites Thomas to touch His wounds.
And what happens? Thomas doesn't even need to touch them in the end. He falls to his knees and cries out: "My Lord and my God!"
This is the most direct and powerful profession of Jesus’s divinity in the entire New Testament. Thomas moves from "I will not believe" to the highest height of faith.
We often treat doubt like it’s the enemy of faith, but for Thomas, it was the doorway to a deeper, more personal encounter with Christ. If you are struggling with a question today or feeling a bit "dry" in your spiritual life, don't be afraid. Bring that doubt to Jesus. He is not offended by your honesty. Often, it’s in the middle of our "I'm not sure" that Jesus shows up and says, "Peace be with you."
Believing Without Seeing: The Blessing for Us
After Thomas makes his confession, Jesus says something that is meant specifically for you and me: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
We are those people! We don't get to physically touch the wounds of Jesus like the Apostles did in the Upper Room. However, we encounter the living Christ every single day in ways that are just as real:
- In the Eucharist: We see bread and wine, but through faith, we say with Thomas, "My Lord and my God."
- In the Poor: Jesus told us that whatever we do for the least of our brothers, we do for Him.
- In the Community: Where two or three are gathered, He is there.
Living a life of faith without "seeing" in the physical sense requires a different kind of vision: the vision of the heart. It’s a gift of the Holy Spirit that allows us to see God’s hand at work even when things are difficult.
The Society of St. Peter the Apostle: Building the Living Foundation
This idea of an "Apostolic Foundation" isn't just something from 2,000 years ago. It is happening right now, all over the world.
At the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA), one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies, we are dedicated to building up this foundation by supporting the formation of local clergy and religious in mission territories.
In many parts of the world: Africa, Asia, and remote islands: the Church is growing so fast that they need more "living stones" to lead the community. These are the modern-day "Thomases": young men and women who are answering the call to become priests and religious sisters in their own home countries.
How does SPA help?
- Supporting Seminarians: We provide subsidies for over 30,000 seminarians in about 400 seminaries. These men are being trained to be the future "Apostolic Foundation" for their people.
- Religious Formation: We help support nearly 10,000 religious novices as they prepare for a life of service.
- Building Infrastructure: We provide funding for constructing and renovating seminaries so that there is a place for these vocations to flourish.
- Local Leadership: Our focus is on indigenous clergy. This means people from the local culture leading their own communities, ensuring the Church is truly "at home" everywhere.
When you support the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, you are participating in the same mission that started with Thomas. You are helping a new generation of missionaries go out to the ends of the earth to say, "My Lord and my God." You are making it possible for those who "have not seen" to hear the Good News and believe.
A Reflection for Today
As we celebrate St. Thomas, I invite you to take a moment of quiet reflection:
- Bring Your Doubts: Is there a specific question, worry, or "doubt" in your heart today? Don't hide it. Bring it to Jesus in prayer, just as Thomas did.
- Recognize Your Citizenship: Do you see yourself as a "fellow citizen" in God’s household? How can you live out that role today: perhaps by reaching out to someone else who feels like a "stranger"?
- Support the Foundation: How can you help build up the Church in mission lands? Whether through prayer or a small gift to SPA, you are helping to form the priests who will bring the Sacraments to the next generation.
Conclusion
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
May you feel that special blessing of Jesus in your heart today. Thank you for your incredible faith, your willingness to ask the hard questions, and your generous support of the global missions. Like St. Thomas, may we all find our way to the feet of Jesus and say with total confidence: "My Lord and my God!"
God bless you,
( Fr.) ADD