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Have we yet embraced the many different sisters and brothers we have under our heavenly Father? Or do we still cling to what or whom we are familiar with? Preferring always to having fellowship only with whom we know or in some cases our own race? If so then perhaps we have not fallen deeply in love with Jesus our Lord and have not progressed witth our relationship with Him. Our very own capacity to love is limited but when we love with the love of Christ in us, our heart swells and soon we find we can love one another unconditionally.

Our beloved St Thomas truly loved Jesus very much and he was traumatised by the death of his master. How many of us too have been traumatised in our lives and had at one point lost our faith? Perhaps the foundation of our faith was not really strong to begin with or we allowed the distractions of the world to take our focus off our Lord. But then when we pray for our faith to increase and for Jesus to come, He does! And like St Thomas we too exclaim with all our hearts, “My Lord, my God!” How much more did St Thomas love our Lord with the love of Jesus in him? Well he travelled all the way in love to India a foreign land where he did not speak a word of the native language. To share the love and message of His Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Then thereafter planting the seeds of love, he laid down his life for Jesus by embracing martyrdom.

St Thomas pray for us, that like you we may be courageous and steadfast in our love for our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

(Saint Thomas, Apostle – Feast; St. Thomas, Apostle)

FIRST READING
Ephesians 2:19–22

GOSPEL
John 20:24–29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas 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.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Every Eucharistic Celebration is an opportunity to go before the altar and give thanks to our Heavenly Father and to receive Jesus and the many graces He bestows upon us. How many actually offer up sacrifices of themselves? The works of mercy they had performed in Jesus’ name the week before? Sharing the joy of the Gospel or the call to repentance? Attending and participating in the Eucharistic Celebration not out of obligation but of a desire to love and be loved by our heavenly Father?

In Holy Communion we receive Jesus, but how many know that Jesus is receiving us too? How many go up and ‘take’ but are not ready to be received by Him? Where is the exchange? The authentic communion? How are we then in communion with one another? How are we then one body in Christ?

If we are truly in Christ evil has NO power to prevail over us! For in His name we have the power to rebuke and cast out evil. We have no desire to return to our old sinful lives but to live a transformed and fruitful life in our Lord. Our only desire is to honour,love and serve Him all the days of lives. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen

FIRST READING
Amos 5:14–15, 21–24

GOSPEL
Matthew 8:28–34

When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.