2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER (Divine Mercy Sunday)
Psalter: Week 2 / (White)
Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
his love is everlasting.
1st 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.
2nd Reading: 1 Jn 5:1-6
All those who believe that Jesus is the Anointed are born of God; whoever loves the Father, loves the Son. 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.
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!
Lectio Divina
Read: The Acts describe the “exceptional time of grace” among the first Christian community where everyone cared for everyone else. Tough act, but for those born of God, His commandments are not burdensome, but are spontaneous response to the gratuitous life Christ offers. The Risen Christ breathes the Holy Spirit on the apostles, and Thomas wins a personal favor from him.
Reflect: There is something about touch that the human beings long for. In the Garden of Eden, when the snake asked for details of God’s prohibitions, Eve responded: “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden; nor shall you touch it [emphasis added], or you shall die” (Gen 3:3). The prohibition of touch was not in God’s original words (cf. Gen 2:17), but was an inventive amplification of Eve’s desire. Jesus fully well responds to this deep desire to touch, and invites Thomas to touch him intimately and know who he is. How he, the desire of the nations, responds to the deepest and secret desires of ours! What exceptional time of Grace!
Pray: Make a prayer expressing the deepest desire of your heart. He will respond.
Act: Today, express your desire and allow yourself to be acted upon by God.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
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