Readings: 2nd Sunday of Easter

First Reading

 

First Reading Introduction: One Heart and One Soul
           
The early Christian communities strongly believed that the risen Lord was alive among them. Because of this faith, they were "one heart and one soul" and shared with the needy. Do we too have this faith and love?

First Reading: Acts 4:32-35

The whole community of believers was one in heart and mind. No one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but rather they shared all things in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, for all of them were living in an exceptional time of grace.

There was no needy person among them, for those who owned land or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the sale. And they laid it at the feet of the apostles who distributed it according to each one's need.

Responsorial Psalm

 

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

R./ This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
     or: Alleluia.

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.”
R./ This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
     or: Alleluia.

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:
R./ This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
     or: Alleluia.

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:

R./ This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
     or: Alleluia.

Second Reading

 

Second Reading Introduction: A Life of Faith and Love
            
Those who believe in God and in his risen Son Jesus Christ also love their neighbor. They belong to God's family, just as we do, even though at times we find them strange relatives.

Second Reading: 1 Jn 5:1-6

All those who believe that Jesus is the Anointed, are born of God; if you love the Father you also love all those born of him. How may we know that we love the children of God? If we love God and fulfill his commands, for God's love requires us to keep his commands. In fact, his commandments are not a burden because all those born of God overcome the world. And the victory which overcomes the world is our faith. Who has overcome the world? The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Jesus Christ was acknowledged through water, but also through blood.
Not only water but water and blood.

And the Spirit, too, witnesses to him for the Spirit is truth.

Holy Gospel

 

Gospel Introduction: From Doubt to Faith
            For people like us who have not seen the risen Christ, John tells us the story of doubting Thomas who became the believing Thomas.

Gospel Reading: Jn 20:19-31

 On the evening of that day, the first day after the Sabbath, the doors were locked where the disciples were, because of their fear of the Jews, but Jesus came and stood in their midst. He said to them, "Peace be with you"; then he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples kept looking at the Lord and were full of joy.

Again Jesus said to them, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." After saying this he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit; for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained."

Thomas, the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he replied, "Until I have seen in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, the disciples were inside again and Thomas was with them. Despite the locked doors Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands; stretch out your hand and put it into my side. Resist no longer and be a believer."

Thomas then said, "You are my Lord and my God." Jesus replied, "You believe because you see me, don't you? Happy are those who have not seen and believe."

 There were many other signs that Jesus gave in the presence of his disciples, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; believe and you will have life through his Name.