Gospel: John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week,

when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,

for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst

and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,

and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book.

But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

USCCB Daily Readings

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

(SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY)

First Reading: Acts 2: 42 - 47

Responsorial Psalm: 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Gospel Reading: John 20:19 - 31

Reflection: It is Easter Season. The Risen Lord of Glory visits his disciples and greets them, “Peace be with you.” Peace is the precious gift Jesus gives to his disciples (of all times) who at this time are extremely destructed and disturbed with the whole experience of Good Friday. This gift brings to the disciples strength and courage of the new beginning in building up the kingdom of God. The disciples in the first reading are able to have all things in common and devote themselves to the teaching of the apostles. Peter in the second reading is able to say, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his mercy gave us a new birth to a living

hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” We are Easter people!

Fr. Severine