2nd Sunday of Easter
First Reading: Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Responsorial Psalm: 118:2-4.13-15.22-24
Response: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let those who fear the LORD say, “His mercy endures forever.” (Response)
I was hard pressed and was falling, but the LORD helped me. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just. (Response)
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. (Response)
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9Response: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let those who fear the LORD say, “His mercy endures forever.” (Response)
I was hard pressed and was falling, but the LORD helped me. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just. (Response)
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. (Response)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith--being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Gospel Reading: 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 Messiah,
the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his
name.
Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
After resurrection Jesus availed himself to be seen by his disciples.
He made himself available whether the disciples wanted it or not. Some
wanted to see him and they searched for him; others were locked up in
the house for the fear of the Jews and yet Jesus appeared to them and
showed himself to them.
He appeared to them to communicate himself to them (that was the peace that he was leaving with them; peace was his presence). He also commissioned them with a mission. Their mission was to communicate the peace of Christ. They were to communicate the presence of Christ in the world.
He appeared to them to communicate himself to them (that was the peace that he was leaving with them; peace was his presence). He also commissioned them with a mission. Their mission was to communicate the peace of Christ. They were to communicate the presence of Christ in the world.
