DAILY CATHOLIC    THURSDAY     July 2, 1998     vol. 9, no. 128

DAILY LITURGY

To print out entire text of Today's issue, go to SECTION ONE and SECTION TWO

Thursday, July 2, 1998

      First Reading: Amos 7: 10-17
      Psalms: Psalm 19: 8-11
      Gospel Reading: Matthew 9: 1-8

Friday, July 3, 1998

      First Reading: Ephesians 2: 19-22
      Psalms: Psalm 117: 1-2
      Gospel Reading: John 20: 24-29

FEAST OF SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE

          Though Saint Thomas the Apostle is often referred to as the "Doubting Apostle," in truth he was one of the most faithful, believing of Christ's disciples. This is confirmed in John 11: 16 when Thomas boldly encourages his fellow apostles to go with Jesus to Lazarus where the fear was that they might be stoned, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." That does not display doubt, but rather undying faith. But Thomas, being human and having withered the many storms Christ underwent, expressed the sentiment many would. In other words, it was almost too much to believe that Jesus had risen. To allay any further sorrow, Thomas put up a defense to the other Apostles with his famous, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." In other words, "don't tease me!" Christ understood and was gentle with Thomas, rebuking him mildly in John 20: 27-29 with "...and be not unbelieving, but believing...Because thou hast seen Me, thou has believed. Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed." The last sentence is a great lesson in faith for the majority of us have not seen, yet we believe. That's faith. This event also occurred before the Descent of the Holy Spirit. Even before this Thomas had pledged his undying loyalty with his famous response to Our Lord in John 20: 28, "My Lord and my God!" It was Thomas' way of asking forgiveness for doubting. After Christ's Ascension Thomas was sent to preach in Parthia and the Indies where he gained the glorious crown of martyrdom. In 1972 Pope Paul VI proclaimed him "Patron Saint of India."

July 2, 1998       volume 9, no. 128
LITURGY

DAILY CATHOLIC

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