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     Thomas' profession of faith is as profound as his doubt had been, but very much in keeping with what his character had appeared to be earlier in the Gospel of John [11:16].  Nevertheless, he represents more than himself in this dramatic scene.  By the time the Gospel of John was put into final written form, Jesus had been dead and risen at least 60 years.  Saint Peter and Saint Paul were both dead and probably many other disciples who had been original witnesses were gone.  A new generation of preachers and disciples, maybe two generations, was bearing witness.  They would be encountering disbelief and opposition, especially in the synagogues. The Gospel of John reflects this milieu of adversarial preaching.  Thus, the last words of the quotation say more than the scene does;  they reflect the situation of the church in the time the gospel was composed.

     The first scripture for today from Ephesians offers a helpful perspective on all of this for us who now live more than 2000 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus and the composition of the gospels.  It speaks of us a members of the "household of God."  We stand on "the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone."  We inherit the faith almost as if it is in our genes.  We are part of a family of faith.  At times, we wonder how all of this happened and may try to escape it or stand outside of it, but the faith will remain in us somehow.  We are among those who have not seen but still believe.  It is our faith that will help the "doubting Thomases" in our midst.  AMEN