It is 3rd July 2018. We celebrate the Feast of St Thomas, the Apostle. The readings are from Ephesians 2:19-22; and the Gospel from John 20:24-29. St. Thomas is the patron of Architects, Construction Workers, stonecutters, surveyors, theologians, cooks and against doubt. St. Thomas questioned several occasions the depth of knowing and loving Christ. If not for him, we would not have a clear understanding on theological issues of following Christ. At the Last Supper John 14:1–7, St Thomas clarified with Jesus when he said, “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas’s questioned Jesus, “How can we know the way?” brought the theological clarity, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Yes, he doubted the appearance of the Risen Lord to the other apostles, yet he could move to such a conviction and surrender to the Lord for the rest of his life after meeting and professing his difficulty in believing the Risen Lord. A Wonder worker of the Lord, fearless apostle to venture the mission in a land like India where people had their convictions on other religious practices. His total surrender and belief expressed the desire to go to Asia. He is rightly praised as the Apostle of India for the missionary conversions on the coastal areas of southern India. in the year 72 C.E he was killed and became the martyr for Christ for whom he submitted his life. The first reading teaches us that we are all the citizens of God’s household not just a number. Our faith in Christ nourished, strengthen and built on the foundations, and sacrifices of the Apostles. “You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.” (Eph.2:19). The responsorial Verse encourages us, “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.” (Mt.16:15). The Gospel describes the encounter that changed the life of St. Thomas the Apostle, who represented many of who still have the same doubts when have not experienced the presence of the Risen Lord in our lives. Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (Jn.20:28). The prayer that came from the lips of the Apostle for us to profess the divinity of God as we declare our faith on a daily basis in the Eucharistic celebration. Let us move on to embrace and express our love for Jesus beyond the moments of doubts that arise in our lives. May we also remember our Arch Bishop, Alex Thomas in our prayers as he celebrates his patron saint. May you have a good day.