2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

INTRODUCTION

April 07, 2024

Good evening/noon/afternoon brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are now in the 2nd Sunday of Easter. We also celebrate today the Feast of Christ, the King of Divine Mercy.

The first reading is taken from the Acts of the Apostles. We hear that St. Luke portrays the early Christian community as generous and united.

The second reading is taken from the First Letter of John. He reminded them by saying " This is the one who came through water and blood: Jesus Christ."

The gospel is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. We hear Jesus speaks to his disciples as he says, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."

Let us all stand to begin our Eucharistic celebration.

Responsorial Psalm:

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, His love is everlasting

Prayer of the Faithful:

Merciful Jesus, hear our prayer.

FIRST READING

Acts 4:32-35

They were of one heart and mind.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

The community of believers was of one heart and mind, The 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.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Ps 118:2-4.13-15, 22-24

R). (1) Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is ever- lasting.

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 ever- lasting.

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 victory in the tents of the just:

R. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is ever- lasting.

or:

R. Alleluia.

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. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is ever- lasting.

or:

R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING

1Jn. 5:1-6

Whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint John

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.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA Jn 20:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;

blessed are those who have not seen me, but still believe!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Jn. 20:19-31

Eight days later Jesus came and stood in their midst.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Οn 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.

The Gospel of the Lord.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

April 07, 2024

Priest: On this day when we honor Jesus, the King of Divine Mercy, let us open our hearts to him and pray with humble faith:

MERCIFUL JESUS, HEAR OUR PRAYER

1. For the Church and her leaders especially Pope Francis, our Bishop and Priests, may they experience Jesus' Divine Mercy and be the examples of the faithful. Let us pray.

2. For the government leaders, may they find solace and hope in Jesus' Divine Mercy as they serve the people especially the needy in our society. Let us pray.

3. For those who, like Thomas, find it hard to believe in the Resurrection, may receive the grace of sight to see Jesus' presence and to witness His wonderful works of mercy and love in their lives. Let us pray.

4. For all those who are afflicted by physical, psychological or moral illness, may they always find healing and relief through the charity of all believers. Let us pray.

5. For all the members of our parish, in imitation of the early Christians, may we receive Jesus' wisdom and faith to be faithful to the teaching of the apostles, actively participate in the Sunday Eucharist, and share God's blessings to us with those in need. Let us pray.

6. For the faithful who offer their thanksgiving and praises to God especially _____ may receive the richness of mercy and love, understanding and abundance to continually be instruments to the needy. Let us pray.

7. For the faithful departed especially _____ may receive eternal life and live with the company of saints in heaven. Let us pray.

Priest: Merciful Jesus, we thank you for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, your peace and forgiveness. May they bring us closer to you and to one another, and make us instruments of your love for all our brothers and sisters. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.