Mass Readings - Sunday, 19th April 2020

Introduction
The struggle for faith experienced by Thomas leads us to think on the meaning of
faith in the risen Christ. We cannot depend on physical experience of Christ but
know his presence in gathered community, in the hearing of the word and in
sacramental signs. So the Christian community is a thankful one, always blessing
God for a sure hope through the resurrection of Christ.


FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47
The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common.

The whole community remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the
brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep
impression on everyone.
The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their
goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves
according to what each one needed.
They went as a body to the Temple every day but met in their houses for the
breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised
God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their
community those destined to be saved.

The Word of the Lord


Responsorial Psalm    Ps 117

Response:   Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

1. Let the sons of Israel say:
‘His love has no end.’
Let the sons of Aaron say:
‘His love has no end,’
Let those who fear the Lord say:
‘His love has no end.’

2. I was thrust, thrust down and falling
but the Lord was my helper.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he was my saviour.
There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the just.

3. The stone which the builders rejected
has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord,
a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord;
we rejoice and are glad.


SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Peter 1:3-9
In his great mercy God has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ
from the dead.

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has
given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we
have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or
soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens.
Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has
been prepared is revealed at the end of time. This is a cause of great joy for
you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all
sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been
tested and proved like gold – only it is more precious than gold, which is
corruptible even though it bears testing by fire – and then you will have praise
and glory and honour. You did not see him, yet you love him; and still without
seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be
described, because you believe; and you are sure of the end to which your
faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls.

The Word of the Lord


Gospel Acclamation   Jn 20: 29

Alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
Alleluia!


GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to John 20:19-31
Eight days later, Jesus came.

In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were
closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came
and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed
them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the
Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.
‘As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said:
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when
Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered,
‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger
into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to
believe’. Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was
with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them.
‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here;
look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no
longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:
‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they
are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life
through his name.

The Gospel of the Lord