You are

You are . . . members of the household of God. 

“Where did I come from?”   The question seems to be ingrained in us.   We make family trees, talk about our great grandparents, and pass down family recipes for generations.   Now we can even find out about our genetic background, thanks to DNA mapping technology.   Why is this quest for our history so important to us?   Because it helps us understand who we are and how we fit into this world.

There’s another aspect to this quest for self-discovery, even though we don’t always recognize it.   In addition to our genetic DNA, and our family and social DNA, we also have a spiritual DNA that is every bit as important.   Who are the “members of the household of God” whose DNA has been passed on and influenced us?

The feast of St. Thomas gives us a few answers.   When Jesus chose Thomas to be one of his apostles, he may have sensed that Thomas would be filled with questions and doubts.   If nothing else, he would have seen the signs during their time together.   But none of Thomas’ doubtful ways moved Jesus to reject him or ask him to leave. Thomas belonged, just as everyone else did.

In fact, Jesus even used Thomas’ doubting to his advantage: as he invited Thomas to probe his wounds, he told all of his apostles—and all of us—“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed”.   Jesus seized on a perfect opportunity to explain our mission to bring everyone to faith in him—the doubtful as well as the self-assured.

Your “natural” DNA may make it easy or hard for you to believe.   You may be a trusting soul, or you may tend toward skepticism.   You may be meek or bold, flexible or stubborn.   It doesn’t matter.   You are a spiritual descendant of all the saints: the doubting Thomas, the blustery Peter, the anguished Mary Magdalene, and the overly zealous Paul.   Whoever you take after, Jesus treasures you.   He has a vital role for you to play in his kingdom.   Because you are made in his image, he is completely committed to you.

word among us