Joy, hope, and doubt are all part of each person's journey of faith.

The teaching of the apostles and . . . the communal life . . . the breaking of bread and . . . the prayers": The Acts of the Apostles says the early Christian community rested on this foundation.

Of the apostles named among the 12, we have real affection for only a handful. There are not many fan clubs for Bartholomew (with apologies to the St. Bartholomew Churches out there!).

Many things can--and have--been said about the apostle Thomas and his infamous demand to see the risen Christ in person rather than rely on the reports of the other disciples.

No one saw much potential in Billy. It's not that the staff at the orphanage thought badly about him; they just didn't think much about him at all.

"Awe came upon everyone" in the early Christian community, Luke tells us in the Acts of the Apostles. I see that same awe come upon my 4-year-old daughter whenever we're at Mass.

Today's image-rich readings inspire us to ponder.

Sisters and brothers, we ask for the Lord's mercy, which endures forever, and his love, which is everlasting.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . .The reading from Saint Peter's first letter opens with a blessing.

By his miraculous entry through closed doors Christ proved to his disciples that by nature he was God and also that he was none other than their former companion. --Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444)