Sunday Readings | Recent Articles | OT Glossary | NT Glossary | Articles Index | Blogs Index | Site Map | About Us


Lectionary Readings for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year A

Readings, Responsorial Psalm and Gospel

Reading I, Acts 2, 42-47

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles
The faithful lived together and owned everything in
common.


The brethren devoted themselves to the apostles' instruction
and the communal life, to the breaking of bread and the
prayers. A reverent fear overtook them all, for many
wonders and signs were performed by the apostles. Those
who believed shared all things in common; they would
sell their property and goods, dividing everything on
the basis of each one's need. They went to the temple
area together every day, while in their homes they broke
bread. With exultant and sincere hearts they took their
meals in common, praising God and winning the approval
of all the people. Day by day the Lord added to their
number those who were being saved.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm, Ps 118, 2-4. 13-15. 22-24. R. v. 1

R. Give thanks to the Lord for he is
good, his love is everlasting.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

Reading II, 1 Pt 1, 3-9

A Reading From the First Letter of Peter
He has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising
Jesus Christ from the dead.


Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
he who in his great mercy gave us new birth; a birth
unto hope which draws its life from the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead; a birth to an imperishable
inheritance, incapable of fading or defilement, which is
kept in heaven for you who are guarded with God's power
through faith; a birth to a salvation which stands ready
to be revealed in the last days.

There is cause for rejoicing here. You may for a time
have to suffer the distress of many trials; but this is
so that your faith, which is more precious than the
passing splendor of fire-tried gold, may by its genuineness
lead to praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ appears.
Although you have never seen him, you love him, and without
seeing you believe in him, and rejoice with inexpressible
joy touched with glory because you are achieving faith's
goal, your salvation.

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel, Jn 20, 19-31

Alleluia Jn 20, 29
R. Alleluia. You believe in me, Thomas
because you have seen me; happy those who have
not seen me, but still believe! R. Alleluia.


A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to John
After eight days Jesus came in and stood among
them.


On the evening of that first day of the week, even
though the disciples had locked the doors of the
place where they were for fear of the Jews, Jesus
came and stood before them. "Peace be with you," he
said. When he had said this, he showed them his hands
and his side. At the sight of the Lord the disciples
rejoiced. "Peace be with you," he said again.

      "As the Father has sent me,
      so I send you."

Then he breathed on them and said:

      "Receive the Holy Spirit.
      If you forgive men's sins,
      they are forgiven them;
      if you hold them bound,
      they are held bound."

It happened that one of the Twelve, Thomas (the name
means "Twin"), was absent when Jesus came. The other
disciples kept telling him: "We have seen the Lord!"
His answer was, "I'll never believe it without
probing the nail-prints in his hands, without putting
my finger in the nail-marks and my hand into his
side."

A week later, the disciples were once more in the
room, and this time Thomas was with them. Despite
the locked doors, Jesus came and stood before them.
"Peace be with you," he said; then, to Thomas: "Take
your finger and examine my hands. Put your hand
into my side. Do not persist in your unbelief, but
believe!" Thomas said in response, "My Lord and my
God!" Jesus then said to him:

      "You became a believer because you saw me.
      Blest are they who have not seen and have believed."

Jesus performed many other signs as well - signs not
recorded here - in the presence of his disciples. But
these have been recorded to help you believe that Jesus
is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through this
faith you may have life in his name.

The Gospel of the Lord.


If you wish to use contents
and resources from this website,
kindly link to us at:

Catholic Internet Mission:
Proclaiming the Gospel Online -
Catholic articles and blogs,
Free internet information,
and Web site services
http://www.pcentral-online.net