Second Sunday of Easter
Sunday of Divine Mercy
27 APRIL 2014
Lectionary: 43

Reading 1 ACTS 2:42-47

They devoted themselves
to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life,
to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone,
and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
All who believed were together and had all things in common;
they would sell their property and possessions
and divide them among all according to each one’s need.
Every day they devoted themselves
to meeting together in the temple area
and to breaking bread in their homes.
They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.
And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

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

R/ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R/ 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/ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R/ 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/ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R/ Alleluia.

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.
R/ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R/ Alleluia.

Reading 2 1 PT 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,
kept in heaven for you
who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith,
to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
In this you rejoice, although now for a little while
you may have to suffer through various trials,
so that the genuineness of your faith,
more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire,
may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Although you have not seen him you love him;
even though you do not see him now yet believe in him,
you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.


(The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio, 1601)
"The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples. As he touches Christ and is won over to belief, every doubt is cast aside and our faith is strengthened." -St. Gregory the Great

Gospel JN 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.

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

*This Sunday’s reading begins on the evening of Easter Sunday and continues one week later—the second Sunday of Easter. Every resurrection appearance of Jesus dated in the gospels occurs on a Sunday. This Sunday is also Divine Mercy Sunday, declared by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000.

*Jesus appears to his fearful disciples as they cowered behind locked doors. He bears in his glorified body the scars of his Passion, showing he has the same body he was buried with and is not, as the disciples fear, a ghost (Luke 24:36-40).

*Jesus reassures them by saying “Peace” (Shalom). Jesus breathes on them, imparting the Holy Spirit upon them. This anticipates the gift of the Spirit to be given to the Church 50 days later on Pentecost. It also institutes the sacrament of Penance, by which the apostles are empowered to forgive sins in Jesus’ name.

*The apostle Thomas is not present at this first appearance and expresses his disbelief. Jesus returns, however, and Thomas has a drastic change of heart.

QUESTIONS:

+In the 1st Reading, we see the early Church soon after the resurrection of Jesus acting in power with signs and wonders, and growing rapidly. To what do we attribute this (verse 47)?

+In the Gospel Reading, why are the disciples fearful at this time?

+Of all the things Jesus must have said, why does John record “Peace be with” you three times (verses 19, 21, 26)? How does this relate to their fears? To their being sent (verse 21)?

+How does Thomas’ personality compare to Mary Magdalene’s (verse 13)? To the other disciples (verses 9, 19)?

+How does Jesus deal with Thomas’ doubt (verse 29)? What is significant about the way Thomas responds? How would you express your belief in the lordship and divinity of Jesus?

+Where could you use Jesus’ “peace” right now? In some relationship? In some inner fear? In your work?

+What doubts or questions about God are you struggling with? What have you found helpful in dealing with doubts?

Bible Study--2nd Sunday of Easter--Divine Mercy Sunday--Cycle A

Closing Prayer
Catechism of the Catholic Church:  §§ 643—645, 1087, 1441, 730, 858, 976, 1461, 448, 514


"Santo subito!"

Thank you and God Bless

You are very much welcome, Brother!

What a wonderful Sunday this is

DIVINE MERCY

and the canonization of two saints.

St. Pope John Paul II

and St. Pope John XXIII . Four Popes represented in all!

Yessir! History making!

The 3 hr 38 minute Mass brought tears of joy to these old eyes.