Second Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy Sunday See also: Divine Mercy, the Hope of Salvation
Gospel Commentary, by Msgr. João Scognamligio Clá Dias, EP
“O death, where is thy victory?” Resurrection – Easter Octave
Featured Saints
St. Gemma Galgani, virgin (†1905). Italian Mystic and ardent devotee of the Cross of Our Lord; she was privileged with the stigmata and died on Holy Saturday at age 25. See also: From His Wounds Issued Flames As of Fire, and Angels in the Lives of Saints.
St. Stanislaus of Krakow, bishop and martyr (†1079). Bishop of Krakow, killed by King Boleslaw II of Poland, whom he had reproached for scandals and counselled to respect the Catholic precepts regarding marriage.
Blessed Angelo Carletti di Chivasso, priest (†1495). Left his office as senator in Piedmont, distributed his goods and became a Franciscan.
Blessed Lanuíno, monk (†1119). He was chosen to accompany St. Bruno in the service of the Pope. After the founder’s death, he was elected as prior of the monasteries. Despite being frequently obliged to travel on papal missions, he never lost the Carthusian spirit.
Blessed Symforian Ducki, religious and martyr (†1942). Franciscan Capuchin, martyred in Auschwitz concentration camp, Poland.
Blessed Sancha of Portugal, virgin (†1229). Daughter of King Sancho I, she renounced earthly goods and consecrated herself to God in the Cistercian monastery of Celas, founded by her near Coimbra.
Blessed Elena Guerra, virgin (†1914). Founded the Congregation of the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Lucca, Italy.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 4:32-35
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 (R.1)
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.
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.
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.
Second Reading – 1 Jn 5:1-6
Beloved: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by Him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth.
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.
