Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Today the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday). The assigned readings are Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 5:1-6, and John 20:9-31. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 118 (Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 118 Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good

The Gospel reading is as follows:

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.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Second Sunday of Easter (April 15, 2012)

Msgr. Charles Pope: Don’t Block Your Blessings – A Meditation on the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter (14 APR 12)

Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.: Oh Ye of Little Faith - Doubting Thomas

Catholic Online: Divine Mercy: The Happy Priest Reflects on the Wounds of Jesus and Our Wounds (14 APR 12)

The Deacon's Bench: A revised homily for April 15, 2012, 2nd Sunday of Easter (14 APR 12)

Dr. Scott Hahn: The Day the Lord Made (April 15th 2012 - Divine Mercy Sunday)

Dominicana: V.I.P. Access (13 APR 12)

A Concord Pastor Comments: 5 pictures worth 5,000 words! (14 APR 12)

The Word Encountered: Community Transformations (Second Sunday of Easter B)

Dominican Daily: Word to Life: Sirius XM Radio: Second Sunday of Easter (14 APR 12)