This blog follows the daily bible readings of the Catholic Church

Reading 1,  Eph 2:19-22

19 So you are no longer aliens or foreign visitors; you are fellow-citizens with the holy people of God and part of God’s household. 20 You are built upon the foundations of the apostles and prophets, and Christ Jesus himself is the cornerstone. 21 Every structure knit together in him grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 and you too, in him, are being built up into a dwelling-place of God in the Spirit.

Gospel, Jn 20:24-29

24 Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord,’ but he answered, ‘Unless I can see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’

26 Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. 27 Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving any more but believe.’

28 Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’

Caravaggio's "scientific" Thomas

29 Jesus said to him: You believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.

These are the readings for St Thomas’ Day. Known as the doubter, his doubt is more interesting than some people’s faith. He does not doubt that something of a spiritual nature has appeared to the other disciples-it may even be of God- but it cannot, he thinks, be Jesus, the crucified one. And if it’s not Him, he’s not interested. He looks for the signs of suffering, and when he’s shown them, addresses Jesus as Lord and God.

Religious people have spiritual experiences. I don’t. I love the world, and I love the evidence of my senses. I am moved by scientific investigation and discovery. So when I declare that every time I put my fingers in a human wound, that is, every time someone gives me the privilege of sharing their suffering, I know the risen Jesus, you will know that at least this is not sentimentality or wish-fulfilment.

I’m happy to be built upon the foundations of the Apostle Thomas.