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b'(Eph.2:19-22;\\xa0\\xa0 Ps.117:1-2,Mk.16:15;\\xa0\\xa0 Jn.20:24-29)\\xa0 \\u201cBlest are they who have not seen and have believed.\\u201d The faith of Thomas.\\xa0 By his faith we find faith.\\xa0 In his desire to know beyond all doubt that the Lord has risen, all our doubt is taken away, and we declare with him, \\u201cMy Lord and my God!\\u201d\\xa0 If Thomas had not doubted so much, we would not believe so much his clear proclamation of the divinity of Jesus.\\xa0 As it is, we no longer have room for doubt.\\xa0 Indeed, Thomas\\u2019 ardent need to touch the nail marks in the Lord\\u2019s hands and sides is a cry to believe as firmly as bedrock, and indeed his declaration of faith is the strongest in all Scripture. \\xa0\\u201cMy Lord and my God!\\u201d\\xa0 In this we take refuge. And how beautifully Paul speaks today of the faith, of the Church wherein we take refuge and dwell as one with \\u201call the saints and members of the household of God\\u2026 with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.\\u201d\\xa0 It is architectural fact that in the cornerstone \\u201cthe whole structure is fitted together and takes shape\\u201d; first it is laid, and then the rest of the foundation extends from it, giving the foundation its direction, its form.\\xa0 And, of course, the entire building rests on and is supported by this cornerstone and foundation.\\xa0 And so is the Church.\\xa0 Christ is our cornerstone around which we are all formed, and the apostles, those who have seen Him and proclaimed His glory, are the foundation upon which our faith rests.\\xa0 And we are all one structure, all made one in faith by the apostles and, of course, by the Lord, who is present in every stone of the building. Let us firm up our faith this day, brothers and sisters.\\xa0 Wherever we may be throughout the world and at whatever time, let us feel beneath our feet the solid foundation upon which we are built and the blessed cornerstone which is its very source and so the source of all the life and the faith within us.\\xa0 Let us indeed be \\u201cbuilt into this temple\\u201d and so become temples ourselves, knowing the surpassing blessing of becoming \\u201ca dwelling place for God in the Spirit.\\u201d \\xa0\\xa0\\u201cA dwelling place for God in the Spirit\\u201d: my brothers and sisters, can there be a more marvelous call?\\xa0 Let us have the faith of Thomas, crying out \\u201cMy Lord and my God!\\u201d each day of our lives and in all we think, say, and do.\\xa0 Let this faith permeate our very beings and we shall find ourselves standing firmly in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and in His kingdom, which is beyond all that eye can see. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by Carie Fortney. Music by Carie Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, let us be blessed to know you with a deep faith, and so be built into your Temple. YHWH, how good, how kind, how faithful you are to us!\\xa0 For we are built into the Body of your only Son with the saints of Heaven and become as your holy Temple.\\xa0 What more could we ask for, what more could we desire, than to be one with your apostles, upon whose faith your Church is founded?\\xa0 Let us find our place in Jesus, the Christ. You are God and your Son is God and we may become one with you, O God, if we but have faith in your surpassing glory, in your goodness and kindness toward us \\u2013 in your Son who stands before us.\\xa0 Jesus is LORD as you are LORD and we become as you are when we praise your glory and declare your Lordship over us.\\xa0 You are our LORD and our God.\\xa0 Jesus is our LORD and our God.\\xa0 May your Spirit be with us, O LORD, to fit us well into your Temple, into your Church, which rises this day on the foundation of your holy apostles.\\xa0 Alleluia!'