Sunday 16 April 2023 – 2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER or of DIVINE MERCY

+ From the Gospel according to John (20, 19 – 31)

On the evening of that day, the first of the week, while the doors of the place where the disciples were for fear of the Jews were closed, Jesus came, stood in the midst and said to them, “Peace be with you!” Having said that, he showed them his hands and side. And the disciples rejoiced to see the Lord.
Jesus said to them again: «Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Having said this, he blew and said to them: «Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive, they will be forgiven; those whom you do not forgive, they will not be forgiven.”
Thomas, one of the Twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples said to him: “We have seen the Lord!”. But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail mark in his hand and put my finger into the nail mark and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Eight days later the disciples were back in the house and Thomas was with them too. Jesus came behind closed doors, stood in the middle and said: «Peace be with you!». Then he said to Tommaso: «Put your finger here and look at my hands; reach out your hand and put it in my side; and do not be incredulous, but a believer!”. Thomas answered him: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him: «Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and have believed!».
Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, did many other signs that are not written in this book. But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that, by believing, you may have your life in his name.

Word of the Lord.