April 27, 2025 – SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER or Divine Mercy Sunday

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

On the evening of that first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you!” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you retain their sins, they are retained.”
Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and reach out your hand and put it into my side. Do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Word of the Lord

The image that illustrates the Gospel of this Sunday is dictated by the feeling of gratitude towards the Lord for having “sent” us Pope Francis.