Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy)

Today the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Easter (also known as the Sunday of Divine Mercy). The assigned readings are Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 1:3-9, and John 20:19-31. 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: Psalm 118 - "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love is everlasting." 

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: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Second Sunday of Easter (April 23, 2017)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Second Sunday of Easter (April 23, 2017)

Community in Mission: From Fear to Faith - A Homily for the Second Sunday of Easter (22 APR 17)

The Sacred Page: Living the Life of Mercy: Readings for Divine Mercy Sunday (20 APR 17)

The Sacred Page: The Origins of Confession (The Mass Readings Explained) (17 APR 17)

Word on Fire: The Mystical Union of Christ and His Church (Cycle A * Easter * Week 2)

Catholic World Report: The Dispatch: The blueprint of mercy: preparation, proclamation, perseverance, purpose (22 APR 17) 

Spirituality of the Readings: A Broken Heart (Second Sunday of Easter A)

In Exile: The Flavor of God's Energy (Second Sunday of Easter A)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Being Saved (Second Sunday of Easter A)

The Word Embodied: The Trying of Faith (Second Sunday of Easter A)

Historical Cultural Context: Commission (Second Sunday of Easter A)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Cyril of Alexandria (Second Sunday of Easter A)