First Reading: Acts 5:12-16
Psalm: Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.
Second Reading: Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
Gospel: Jn 20:19-31
SUN: SECOND SUNDAY OFEASTER
Acts 5: 12-16/ Ps 118: 2-4. 13-15. 22-24/ Rv 1: 9-11a. 12-13. 17-19/ Jn 20:19-31
1st Reading: Acts 5:12-16
Many miraculous signs and wonders were done among the people, through the hands of the apostles. The believers, of one accord, used to meet in Solomon’s Porch. None of the others dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. So, an ever-increasing number of men and women, believed in the Lord. The people carried the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and on mats, so, that, when Peter passed by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those who were troubled by unclean spirits; and all of them were healed.
Responsorial Psalm; Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.
2nd Reading: Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
I, John, your brother, who shares with you, in Jesus, the sufferings, the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island of Patmos, because of the word of God and witnessing to Jesus. On the Lord’s day, the spirit took possession of me and I heard a voice behind me, which sounded like a trumpet, “Write down all that you see, in a book, and send it to the seven churches.
I turned to see who was speaking to me; behind me were seven golden lamp stands and, in the middle of these, I saw someone, like a son of man, dressed in a long robe, tied with a golden girdle.
Seeing him, I fell at his feet, like one dead; but he touched me with his right hand and said, “Do not be afraid. It is I, the First and the Last. I am the living one; I was dead; and now I am alive, forever and ever; and mine are the keys of death and the netherworld. Now write what you have seen, both what is and what is yet to come.
Gospel: 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 among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!” Then he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples, seeing the Lord, 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! Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; 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 again inside the house and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, 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. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe!”
Thomas 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 yet have come to 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!
Reflection:
The Shape of Divine Mercy
Read:
The sick flock to the apostles for healing. In a vision, John meets Christ, the Alpha and the Omega. The Risen Christ keeps disciples within breathing distance and invites Thomas to feel his wounds.
Reflect:
You might have seen the classic painting that captures the essence of Revelation 3.20: Jesus stands at the door and knocks. But the door is painted without a knob. It seems Jesus cannot enter unless we open from within. But that is only half the truth. What if we are so worn out, depressed, wounded by life that we simply cannot get up and open? Does Jesus go away? If today’s gospel is any evidence, the answer is a resounding no! He will simply break through the walls and reach out to us, to breathe on us, to help us rise back to life, holding on to his wounds! The shape of his mercy is its shapelessness—it has no circumference, no borders. It just keeps flowing to us wherever we are, to defreeze us from our fears with the warmth of his breath and embrace.
Pray:
Pray for a heart rich in mercy and compassion, as of the Lord.
Act:
Do one of the corporal acts of mercy.