Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)Lectionary: 43

Reading 1 ACTS 2:42-47

They devoted themselvesto the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life,to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.Awe came upon everyone,and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.All who believed were together and had all things in common;they would sell their property and possessionsand divide them among all according to each one’s need.Every day they devoted themselvesto meeting together in the temple areaand to breaking bread in their homes.They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Responsorial Psalm PS 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

R. (1) 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. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.or:R. Alleluia.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 victoryin the tents of the just:R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.or:R. Alleluia.The stone which the builders rejectedhas 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. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.or:R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 1 PT 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hopethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,kept in heaven for youwho by the power of God are safeguarded through faith,to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.In this you rejoice, although now for a little whileyou may have to suffer through various trials,so that the genuineness of your faith,more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire,may prove to be for praise, glory, and honorat the revelation of Jesus Christ.Although you have not seen him you love him;even though you do not see him now yet believe in him,you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Alleluia JN 20:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe!R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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 midstand 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 handsand put my finger into the nailmarksand put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again insideand 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 disciplesthat are not written in this book.But these are written that you may come to believethat Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,and that through this belief you may have life in his name.