4.26.2011

May 1st - Divine Mercy Sunday, Mass Rdgs & Reflection

May 1, 2011 ~ Liturgical Year A, Cycle I ~ Divine Mercy Sunday


First Reading: Acts 2:42-47
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Gospel: John 20:19-31



Reflection Questions


1. What does St. John teach us in this passage about the physical characteristics of Jesus' resurrected body? List as many properties as you can.

2. Given the cruelty of Jesus' death, describe the reactions and joy of the disciples as Jesus showed Himself to them.

3. How is your faith similar and/or different to St. Thomas, who doubted the Resurrection?

4. If you haven’t looked into the Divine Mercy devotion, check it out . Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy today and every day.



Gospel Reflection


On this second Sunday of Easter, the Church draws our attention not only to the Resurrection but to God’s loving mercy towards each one of us. As we read and pray over this Gospel passage, we must understand it in light of the fact that the disciples had just recently seen Christ's death and apparent defeat on the Cross. Just when they thought they were with someone special and were going to change the world, Jesus was taken from their midst in brutal fashion. However, earlier this day, it had been reported that Jesus’ tomb was empty and that Mary Magdalene had seen the Lord alive. Now the disciples were in fear for their lives. They knew the Roman and Jewish authorities would be after them. The Gospel tells us that the disciples had secured their location, but somehow Jesus got through. We can only imagine the reactions they had to seeing the risen Lord: No doubt they cheered and rejoiced as never before. Their defeat had been turned into a true victory. This passage shows us the reality of the Resurrection: Jesus actually talked with His disciples, and was physically touched by them. The Resurrection really happened, and it radically transformed the lives of each disciple, to the point that they were willing to die for Christ. Now St. Thomas had been absent from this appearance of the Lord, and he could hardly believe that it could be real. Put yourself in St. Thomas’ shoes: We can hardly blame him for doubting after the way Jesus had been killed. Yet Jesus comes back a week later and appears to St. Thomas, making sure that he realizes that Jesus is not a ghost, but has flesh, has wound marks, and is still alive. While this Gospel talks about the importance of believing without seeing, the bottom line to it is St. Thomas' declaration: My Lord and My God! This declaration is ultimately meant for each one of us, as we look on Christ in love and faith and say to the world that He is truly alive and in love with each of us. What does the Resurrection have to do with God’s mercy? Simply, God has shown us incredible mercy in giving us Jesus’ Resurrection. God did not have to do this, but saw that we needed a benefit that would help us get to heaven. With Christ’s Resurrection we have the ultimate hope in eternal life. We did not deserve this sign of hope, yet God loves us so much that He gave us Christ’s Resurrection as a guarantee that He will help us overcome our own death – and have eternal life with Him. Our daily lives have so many signs and struggles that cause us to lose sight of God’s precious love for us. Let us never forget the reality of the Resurrection and God’s mercy in our lives. Those who saw our Risen Lord never forget Him, nor did they doubt Him. May we have the same faith as they did, and allow ourselves to be signs to this world about God’s victory over death.

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