Reading 1
Acts 5:12-16
Many signs and wonders were done among the people
at the hands of the apostles.
They were all together in Solomon’s portico.
None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them.
Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord,
great numbers of men and women, were added to them.
Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets
and laid them on cots and mats
so that when Peter came by,
at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them.
A large number of people from the towns
in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered,
bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits,
and they were all cured.
Reading 2
Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
I, John, your brother, who share with you
the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus,
found myself on the island called Patmos
because I proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony to Jesus.
I was caught up in spirit on the Lord’s day
and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, which said,
“Write on a scroll what you see.”
Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me,
and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands
and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man,
wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest.
When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead.
He touched me with his right hand and said, “Do not be afraid.
I am the first and the last, the one who lives.
Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever.
I hold the keys to death and the netherworld.
Write down, therefore, what you have seen,
and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.”
Gospel
Jn 20:19-31
On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But he said to them,
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples
that are not written in this book.
But these are written that you may come to believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
Meditation: John 20:19-31
Divine Mercy
Do not be unbelieving, but believe. (John 20:27)
Everyone had heard about the man who lived among the tombs, unable to be restrained (Mark 5:1-18). Surely people warned Jesus to stay away from him. Yet he continued on, filled with compassion. As they met, the man was so tormented he couldn’t even ask for help. But Jesus spoke, the demons fled, and the man was released. Divine mercy brings freedom.
As Jesus was leaving Jericho, two blind men called out to him: “Son of David, have pity on us!” (Matthew 20:29-30). People told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder. They knew how much they needed him. Again, full of love, Jesus touched their eyes and restored their sight. Divine mercy brings healing.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector known for extorting money. Yet when he heard Jesus would be coming by, he was determined to see him (Luke 19:1-10). He was not deterred by his short stature but climbed a tree to get a good view. Jesus called to him, and the two shared a meal together. Divine mercy transforms lives.
This is the miracle of divine mercy: It is available to all of us right now. It is a free and boundless gift from our Father. He has prepared a banquet hall for us, and he invites us all to come. With bold and eager hearts, not allowing unbelief to keep us away, we can enter in and receive all that he has for us.
God’s mercy is a fresh, ever-rushing river. Jesus is inviting you today to immerse yourself in his cleansing tide. How great is the love that God lavishes on his children! His mercy is not earned but is given freely. So don’t hesitate. Come and surrender to him, and receive the freedom, healing, and transformation that spring from the heart of Christ!
“Father, I am awed by your compassion and love for me. Your mercy has raised me up, cleansed me, and changed me. I embrace the mercy that you are pouring over me right now. Lord, you are wonderful!”
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Questions for Individual Reflection or Group Discussion
Acts 5:12-16, Psalm 118:2-4,13-15,22-24, Revelation 1:9-13,17-19, John 20:19-31
1. In the first reading, we read of the many signs and wonders that were performed by the apostles. What impact did these have on the people? What was the fruit of them? Do you believe that signs and wonders have a role to play in the Church today? Why or why not? How has your life been impacted through divine miracles or healings in your life?
2. In the Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist sings the praises of the Lord with these words, “His mercy endures forever.” How have you experienced God’s mercy in your life? Is there someone in your life that may need your mercy and forgiveness? Are you willing to give that person a gift he or she (or any of us) does not deserve – your forgiveness?
3. In the second reading, we read of John’s exile to the island of Patmos, because he “proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony for Jesus” (Revelations 1:10). If you went on trial for proclaiming God’s word and giving testimony for Jesus, would the prosecutor find enough evidence to convict you? Why or why not?
4. In the Gospel, why do you think Thomas refused to believe the report on Jesus’ resurrection from the other Apostles? What do you think Jesus meant when he said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29)? What is the basis of your faith in the Lord? Does it rely on visible signs or an inner certainty that Jesus Christ is Lord?
5. The meditation tells us that Jesus’ divine mercy “is available to all of us right now. It is a free and boundless gift from our Father. He has prepared a banquet hall for us, and he invites us all to come. With bold and eager hearts, not allowing unbelief to keep us away, we can enter in and receive all that he has for us.” What do these words mean to you? How strong is your belief that you have received the Lord’s divine mercy? What steps can you take to strengthen it?
6. Using the prayer at the end of the meditation as a starting point, pray for one another that your faith and trust in Jesus’ divine mercy toward you, and all those close to you, would increase.
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