Sermon – Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle – “Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen and Yet Have Believed!” – 3 July 2026

In today's first reading, Saint Paul says: We are the family of God , built upon the foundation of the apostles. This is the mystery of the Church; the mystical body of Christ.

The Church is Christ, of whom we are a part through baptism. The baptized person is in Christ; he/she unites with Him, becomes one with Him; therefore, he/she is part of God's family.

It is also built upon the foundation of the apostles. Our faith rests on the testimony of the apostles; the testimony of these men who lived with Jesus and saw his resurrection .

That is why the feast of the apostles, and especially the feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle, which we celebrate today, is so important. He did not believe the testimony of the other apostles, but his disbelief strengthens our faith!

Pope Saint Gregory the Magnificent says: “Thomas’ unbelief was more beneficial to our faith than the faith of the other apostles; for he was guided to believe by touch, so our minds are confirmed in faith, free from all doubt.”

(...) that apostle who doubted and touched became an apostle of the reality of resurrection."

Today's Bible concludes with a promise of new happiness:

"Blessed are those who believe without seeing!"

And these are us. We do not see the Lord, but we believe in Him. If Jesus describes us as "blessed," then a great reward awaits us; all we have to do is persevere in good works and not turn away from Him in sin.

May the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, grant us the grace to persevere to the end.