To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Reflection on the Gospel – Thursday, July 3, 2025
My Aunt Carmina, who was very prayerful and devout, taught me to say “My Lord and my God” at Mass during the moment of the elevation. At the time, I don’t think I even knew there had been an apostle who doubted the Resurrection and refused to believe until he put his fingers in the nail marks and his hand in Jesus’ wounded side. And that it was he who spoke those words, falling to his knees before Jesus.
Thomas, the doubter, made a profession of faith that is at the very heart of the Catholic faith: Jesus is Lord and God. Two natures in one divine person. This year, we’re remembering the Council of Nicaea, and every time we profess our faith, we repeat the Creed that came from that first Ecumenical Council.
In Eucharistic Prayer III, we hear these words at Mass:
“You are indeed Holy, O Father, and all you have created rightly gives you praise, for through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you give life to all things and make them holy, and you never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.”
It’s true: the Sacrifice is happening every second. From east to west, from north to south. Wherever the sun rises and wherever it sets. In every meridian and latitude, there is a Catholic priest celebrating the Eucharist. That means the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is always present. His blood, once poured out, never stops being poured out… It’s a mystery that exists beyond our time and space—and yet it is fully present. God in His glory, pure joy and pure love—almost overwhelming in its intensity—is also broken and given on the Cross every time we celebrate the Eucharist. It’s beyond our understanding, but it’s real.
Let us never stop being amazed. Everything in our faith is full of wonder. We may repeat the same words, day after day, Sunday after Sunday, but let’s ask for the grace to renew the emotion and awe of Thomas when he saw and touched the Risen One. To be nourished by Him and to give thanks for the gift of His Body and Blood—which makes us brothers and sisters, which makes us Church.