Tag: Easter

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Easter Vigil

entrance to the tomb

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Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter Mass Readings

Reading 1: Genesis 1:1-2:2 or Genesis 1:1, 26-31A
Responsorial: Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35 or Psalm 33:4-7, 12-13, 20, 22
Reading 2: Genesis 22:1-18 or Genesis 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18
Responsorial: Psalm 16:5, 8-11
Reading 3: Exodus 14:15-15:1
Responsorial: Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18
Reading 4: Isaiah 54:5-14
Responsorial: Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
Reading 5: Isaiah 55:1-11
Responsorial: Isaiah 12:2-6
Reading 6: Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4:4
Responsorial: Psalm 19:8-11
Reading 7: Ezekiel 36:16-17A, 18-28
Responsorial: Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4 or Isaiah 12:2-3, 4BCD, 5-6 or Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19
Epistle: Romans 6:3-11
Responsorial: Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Gospel: Mark 16:1-7

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040321.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Happy Easter! He is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal and I’m so glad to share this time with you as we break open the Word!

A brother deacon of mine told me recently that he has either served at or assisted with one to two funerals a week, every week for the past year. Half of those funerals were due to COVID. There is no question that this time of pandemic has been difficult for so many people regardless of whether you think things have been handled well or not. But death, I imagine, has been especially difficult. How many deaths might have been preventable if it weren’t for politics? How many people had to die alone, I wonder? And the sad truth of it is that the pandemic is not over yet.

What comfort does all the ritual of Holy Week and Easter offer those who mourn? What comfort does Easter offer? Let’s explore Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection to show how these events relate to lives of people.

Today is the Great Vigil of Easter! Now, these aren’t just some bedtime stories we tell to pass the time until Easter dinner, with tons of chocolate, and easter egg hunts. No! There’s so much more going on. As we listened to the Scriptures and we walked through the events of this most Holy Week, I invite you to stop and think about how we got here to the Easter Vigil. I mean, just last week, we celebrated Palm Sunday. And as we heard in what is typically the first reading proclaimed outside before the procession, the people yelled, “Hosanna!” (11:9), and they spread their cloaks and leafy branches on the road to make way for Jesus! (11:8). The people were cheering and applauding and celebrating! They treated him like a rock star!

Can you imagine what it must have felt like to be one of Jesus’ closest disciples as that scene unfolded? I bet excitement and joy filled the disciples at the way the crowd received their teacher! What a moment!

And then, just a few days later – they crucified him. They stripped Jesus of his dignity, and they nailed him to a cross. There he hung in the air like a criminal until he died a most torturous death.

How do you think the eleven disciples felt? We can’t be sure because they weren’t there! Where were they? They were hiding! I mean, Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter denied Jesus. Their whole world collapsed. So now what?

Just a little earlier in Mark before the reading we heard proclaimed today, Mark tells us that two women who followed Jesus in Galilee were there at the crucifixion. Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James and Salome. They witnessed the horror of Jesus’ death. They saw where they laid Jesus to rest. For some reason, they decided to go to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. Maybe they felt Joseph had rushed things Friday night. The women didn’t realize Jesus has already been “anointed beforehand for burial” by another woman the night before the Last Supper (14:3-8). <1>

Now, this is an interesting point to keep in mind as we move forward. The women – not the men – “provide … continuity between the story of Jesus’ death and burial and the story of Easter morning.” <2> Unlike the male disciples who are nowhere, these women clearly aren’t overcome with despair. They resolve to do something – one final act to honor their beloved teacher. They couldn’t anoint his body on the Sabbath, so early Sunday morning, they set out for the tomb.

Now, the Greek words that Mark uses gives us some interesting insight into this scene. When the women arrived, they looked up and saw the tomb opened. The Greek word Mark used for “looking up” could also mean “to gain sight.” <3> Why gain sight? Perhaps the women were so busy that they were blind to Jesus’ words. Just as they witnessed his death, now they bore witness to the empty tomb.

When they entered the tomb, instead of finding Jesus, they encountered a young man in white. Scholars tell us that based on various Scripture passages, we can believe that this youth was some sort of angel. <4> Jesus is not in the tomb. The youth tells the women that Jesus has risen. Scholars tell us that even the Greek verb Mark uses is passive to describe “the divine origin of the miracle.” <5>

The youth tells the women to go and tell the other disciples that Jesus will meet them in Galilee. The women are commissioned to be the first evangelizers of the Resurrection! <6>

While this passage from Mark ends by describing the women’s fear, they told someone because the faith spread like wildfire and is with us here today. “The Gospel of Mark begins and ends with the proclamation of good news and the invitation to participate in God’s reign alive among us (1:14-15; 16:7).” <7>

Isn’t it wonderful? But this is no story.

What comfort do these events offer those who mourn their dead?

You see, for Christians, death isn’t the end of the story! Jesus was raised from the dead! Jesus overcame sin and death! Jesus’ triumph tells us, that, “The power of God is on the loose in the world, calling for our response.” <8>

As baptized Christians, we are united through Jesus with God – all of us – those who came before, those here with us now, and those yet to be born. And because we are united through Jesus, death is not the end! We are connected with our dead friends and family. And we will see them again! That’s part of the great hope of the Kingdom of God! The hope of the resurrection is felt by all believers, of course, but it’s felt in a particular way by all those who mourn. Indeed, all of the rituals of this most Holy Week affirms our hope in Christ Jesus. As we gather to mark the Great Vigil of Easter, we remember. We celebrate. And we believe!

Homework! Rejuvenated by the Easter message that we celebrate through the Word of God and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following question.
The women commissioned to announce the resurrection were ordinary people, just like most of us. How am I called to share the Good News?

Doing our homework reminds us as disciples that Easter is not just any day. It’s a reminder of our commission to go out into the world spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May we all come to know the joy of Easter and may God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Silent Partner composed our theme music. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image Credit: Easter Tomb. Artist Unknown. JPG.

Notes:
<1> Mary Ann Beavis, chap. Mark 16:1-8, sec. Tracing the Narrative Flow, Kindle.
<2> Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, 352.
<3> Mary Ann Beavis, chap. Mark 16:1-8, sec. Tracing the Narrative Flow, Kindle.
<4> Mary Ann Beavis, chap. Mark 16:1-8, sec. The Messenger in the Tomb, Kindle. Also see Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, 351.
<5> Mary Ann Beavis, chap. Mark 16:1-8, sec. The Messenger in the Tomb, Kindle.
<6> Mary Ann Beavis, chap. Mark 16:1-8, sec. The Messenger in the Tomb, Kindle.
<7> Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, 355.
<8> Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, 357. Emphasis in original.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Beavis, Mary Ann. Mark. Paideia Commentary Series. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
3. Hahn, Scott W. and Curtis Mitch. Romans. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017. Kindle.
4. Ottoni-Wilhelm, Dawn. Preaching the Gospel of Mark: Proclaiming the Power of God. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2008.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Christ’s resurrection and ours: 638-58, 992-1004
2. Easter the Lord’s Day: 647, 1167-70, 1243, 1287
3. The Sacraments of Initiation: 1212
4. Baptism: 1214-22, 1226-28, 1234-45, 1254
5. Baptism – death and resurrection with Christ: 1214, 1220, 1227
6. Baptism – the sacrament of faith: 1226, 1253-54
7. Baptism – the sacrament of justification: 1266, 1992
8. Confirmation: 1286-89
9. Eucharist: 1322-23
10. The first day of the week: 2174-77

Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040321.cfm
Lectionary: 41

Gospel
Mark 16:1-7
When the sabbath was over,
Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome
bought spices so that they might go and anoint him.
Very early when the sun had risen,
on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb.
They were saying to one another,
“Who will roll back the stone for us
from the entrance to the tomb?”
When they looked up,
they saw that the stone had been rolled back;
it was very large.
On entering the tomb they saw a young man
sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe,
and they were utterly amazed.
He said to them, “Do not be amazed!
You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified.
He has been raised; he is not here.
Behold the place where they laid him.
But go and tell his disciples and Peter,
‘He is going before you to Galilee;
there you will see him, as he told you.’”

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ATC 13 What’s in a Kiss

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What’s in a kiss? Everything!

Happy Easter! That’s right, we are still in the Easter season. Alleluia! Alleluia! Thank you for joining me for All Things Catholic on this Wednesday during the Second Week of Easter. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we are going to explore what it means to be Catholic. Here’s a question that’s been on the back burner for a while: why do priests and deacons kiss the altar? I’m so glad you asked! Don’t forget to send me your questions either through the comment form on the website, or by email to rudy@deaconrudysnotes.org.

Perhaps you’ve been at mass and seen the priest and deacon kiss the altar at the beginning of mass and at the end of mass. Or perhaps you’ve been watching a live-streamed mass during this time of social distancing and “remain home” initiatives and you’ve noticed the Pope, or your bishop kiss the altar. Either way, why do they kiss the altar at all? What’s in a kiss?

Well, as with so many things Catholic, the practice of kissing or venerating the altar has a long history in the Church, what we would refer to as “tradition” spelled with a little “t”. And there are some excellent articles out there that describe the history and even some of the current church practice or norms around kissing the altar. I will list some of these articles at the bottom of my podcast notes under “Further Reading”.

I don’t want to spend too much time repeating all this wisdom, but just a quick note about vocabulary. The intellectual tradition of the western world is deeply rooted in Greek thought. One of the effects of Greek thinking on us is that we in the west have this tendency to want to classify and name things and organize topics in like categories. The Church is no exception. For this reason, Church vocabulary can be a bit confusing. But just hang in there.

Suffice it to say, that very early in the life of the Church, perhaps within the first three hundred years, this practice began and gained in popularity among the clergy. Today, this practice is required in Church documents which we call “norms”. The primary document is called the General Instructions to the Roman Missal or the GIRM. In fact, in the GIRM for each type of mass, kissing the altar is all of one short sentence, (for example No. 49). Nothing more. No explanation or footnotes.

There are too many reasons to try to capture here. Let’s explore some of the reasons. The altar is the place of the “living sacrifice”. So, kissing the altar is a sign of veneration, which means an act of reverence and respect. The altar also symbolizes Christ the cornerstone of our faith – the stone rejected by the builders. So, kissing the altar shows unity between Christ and His church.

During the times of persecutions when Christians would hide and even hold mass in the catacombs, they worshipped literally on the bones of the martyrs. While it’s not always the case in newer churches, a custom developed in which the remains of martyrs were often entombed beneath the altar or even within the altar. Even a piece of the martyr or other saint might be placed in a small cavity within or beneath the altar. These small pieces of the bone of martyrs or saints are called “relics”. Well actually, because these are pieces of the martyr or saint, they are called “first class relics”. <1> So, kissing an altar with relics is also an acknowledgment of the great works of the martyr or other saint on behalf of Jesus Christ.

This is all important, of course, but in my opinion, these are tangential to the heart of matter. I can assure you that while it might be in the rules, the clergy do not kiss the altar because we are “required”.

Why is it important for a husband and wife to kiss before they run off for work in the morning or when they return home at the end of the day? I am no poet, so it’s difficult to put this into words, but at its core, a simple kiss – even a peck on the check while parting or returning – is so important. It’s an acknowledgment of course, and an affirmation. But there’s so much more to it that! In a healthy relationship, it’s all in a kiss!

In the brief seconds of that kiss, we step off the hamster wheel of life and we are present to each other. A kiss fosters bonding and contentment. It is a simple expression of profound belonging. A more passionate or intimate kiss breaks the routine of the day. Instead of saying “you’re never going to believe what happened today,” we shift to, “I’m crazy about and you so happy to be here with you! It’s all good!” It can reset all the emotions from our frenzied and over-scheduled day.

Now think about the incredible pressure on your priest. On top of pressures of running the parish, he has to deal with all sorts of telephone calls and emails – some quite petty, like, “with all the babies crying in mass I can’t hear a thing. What are you going to do about it?” Or, “the catechist reprimanded my kid. Who does he think he is? What are you going to do about it?” Or, “that crazy deacon’s homily ticked me off! Why do you let him preach?” And of course, there’s the ever popular, “fix it our I’ll go to the bishop!”

Think about your priest who might hear confessions before mass. What burdens from confession does he carry as he enters the church? For bishops and the pope, the pressure is exponential. If you think a priest or a deacon always enter mass unburdened, I’m sorry to tell you it’s not true. Our clergy are humans just like everyone else, and like everyone else they have good days and they have not so good days.

Yet, as they approach the altar – as the priest and deacon kiss the alter, everything resets. All the pressures of their roles which still exist are in that instant set to the side. We are totally present to Jesus Christ. We are totally present to His bride, the Church. And we are present to the entire community of believers – those who came before us, those yet to be born, and those here with us now. As mass comes to end, the priest and deacon kiss the altar before they process out. In that moment of goodbye, we are saying, “I love you and I’ll be back soon.”

Of course, openness and intention are everything. But in kissing the altar like a couple who kisses, we make ourselves vulnerable. It’s a reminder that I am not the center of the universe and the world does not revolve around me. It’s a reminder that I am not alone and even more importantly a reminder of my call to serve – a call to serve the Church and a call to serve my spouse. I know all that sounds like a tall order for a kiss, but if we allow it, a kiss can be transformative. What’s in a kiss? Everything!

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to All Things Catholic. If you have a question you’d like me to discuss, please use the comment form on the website, or send me an email to rudy@deaconrudysnotes.org.

This episode was produced by deacon rudy’s notes. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join us again next time and don’t forget to check out the weekend edition where we break open the Word. He is RISEN! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Notes:
<1> More on relics. A first-class relic is a piece of the physical remains of a martyr or other saint. A second-class relic is an item the saint owned and frequently used, like clothing, a rosary, a crucifix or a book. A third-class relic is anything which has been in contact with a first- or second-class relic. Today, most third-class relics are small pieces of cloth which might be attached to a prayer card.

References:
1. Catholic Church. General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2003.
2. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Further Reading:
1. For biblical examples of kissing as a greeting, see Michal E. Hunt, “Why Does the Priest Kiss the Altar.” AgapeBibleStudy.com, 1995. https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/Why%20Does%20the%20Priest%20Kiss%20the%20Altar.htm.
2. Aaron, Shirley. “Why Do Catholic Priests Kiss the Altar at the Beginning of a Mass?” Catholic Online. September 24, 2018. Accessed April 22, 2020. http://francismary.org/why-do-catholic-priests-kiss-the-altar-at-the-beginning-of-a-mass/.
3. Chansky, Tamar. “How kissing can save your marriage, every day.” WHYY. November 30, 2015. Accessed April 22, 2020. https://whyy.org/articles/how-kissing-can-save-your-marriage-every-day/.
4. Kosloski, Philip. “This is why the priest kisses the altar at Mass.” Aleteia. July 26, 2017. Accessed April 22, 2020. https://aleteia.org/2017/07/26/this-is-why-the-priest-kisses-the-altar-at-mass/.
5. McNamara, Edward. “Deacons’ Hands on the Altar.” Zenit. August 29, 2017. Accessed April 22, 2020. https://zenit.org/articles/deacons-hands-on-the-altar/.
6. Plett, Cara. “8 tips for kissing toward a more passionate marriage.” Focus on the Family. 2013. Accessed April 22, 2020. https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/8-tips-for-kissing-toward-a-more-passionate-marriage.
7. “Practicing a Holy Kiss in Marriage.” Build Your Marriage. March 23, 2017. Accessed April 22, 2020. https://www.buildyourmarriage.org/practicing-a-holy-kiss-in-marriage/.
8. Rose Ezra. “The Catholic Tradition of a Priest Kissing the Altar.” Classroom. September 29, 2017. Accessed April 22, 2020. https://classroom.synonym.com/the-catholic-tradition-of-a-priest-kissing-the-altar-12087035.html.

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Divine Mercy Sunday 2020

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Second Sunday of Easter / Sunday of Divine Mercy Mass Readings

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

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041920.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Happy Easter! Today on this second Sunday during the octave of Easter we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. What is that all about? And what’s all this octave of Eater talk?

Let’s get the basics out of the way. Octave means eight. We count the eight days of Easter beginning on Easter Sunday until the following Sunday. This practice started early in the history of the church. The “eighth day” became another name for Sunday, the day we celebrate the resurrection. While we don’t commonly refer to every Sunday as “the eighth day”, we do treat every Sunday as Easter Sunday. That’s why during Lent, Sundays aren’t counted as a day of Lent. Ok, now that the basics are out of the way, let’s jump into the readings in the light of Divine Mercy.

If you’ve been keeping up with the daily readings since last Sunday, you’ll know that Jesus has already appeared three times to the disciples. As we read these accounts, we journey with the first disciples in the days and weeks following the Lord’s resurrection. Our first reading from Acts helps to paint that picture for us. Now, put yourself in their position for a few minutes.

Everyday that passes, the disciples slowly come to understand what Jesus is teaching them. Jesus is the Savior foretold in the Old Testament. Jesus buys salvation to heal the wrong of Original Sin with His own blood. The full weight of the undeserved and unmerited sacrifice – God’s only begotten Son – demonstrates the full extent of God’s mercy.

What an incredible sacrifice Jesus made for you and for me – His beloved! That’s what we find in or second reading from First Peter. His mercy gives us hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 1:3). So, on this eighth day, we pause to acknowledge the immensity of God’s mercy. But this reading also speaks for trials we might endure to prove the genuineness of our faith (1 Peter 1:6-7). Let’s look at that in the light of the Gospel.

In today’s Gospel, we find the familiar story of Thomas who refused to believe unless he could touch Jesus’ wounds. Thomas need proof or he says he will not believe, (John 20:25). Isn’t it easy to observe what happens in Scripture in a detached sort of way? For example, isn’t it easy to shake your head, giggle and say, “Poor doubting Thomas.” But I think there’s more to this Scripture passage.

For example, how would you describe your faith life before COVID-19? I don’t mean what you used to do, but what you believed. What does Christian faith mean to you? Is it just a moral philosophy – lessons about how to be good and get along with other people? I mean, that’s not bad in itself, but Christian faith is so much more than that.

The Christianity we find in Scripture and tradition teaches repentance, self-sacrificial love, and purity of heart. It commends joining our suffering to Jesus – carry your cross to follow the Way of the Cross – as the path to God.

I know that for many of us, “staying home” doesn’t necessarily mean we have had loads of time to contemplate the meaning of life, the universe and everything, but hopefully we’ve all slowed down a little. I encourage you to use the opportunity to explore your own faith. Are you like the Peter and the other disciples in Acts who boldly profess salvation in the name of Jesus Christ? Or are you more like Thomas who believes only to a certain point, but when push comes to shove, you got to have proof?

God’s mercy and salvation is available to all believers. But if you don’t believe, if you don’t really believe that Jesus really walked among us, taught and healed, was tortured, crucified and died and then rose from the dead, then are you really a believer? This is wildly important because in Revelation 3:16, Jesus warns that like a beverage that is neither hot nor cold but lukewarm, he will spit us out. Now is the time to recommit yourself to Jesus Christ before life starts to return to “normal”. Now, on this Sunday of Divine Mercy, is the time to open your heart to Jesus Christ. If you don’t have access to a priest or the mass, then ask forgiveness, and make an act of spiritual communion. Say it. Mean it. And from now on, walk the walk.

Homework! I ask you to reflect on the following two questions this week.

  1. In the Gospel we heard, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” What are the obstacles to my belief? How can I help others overcome their doubts?
  2. We also heard, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” How is my faith a blessing to me and my family? How can I accompany those who are skeptical?

I think doing our homework will help us live as Christians resolute in our faith. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References:
1. Keating, Daniel. First and Second Peter, Jude. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
2. Kurz, William S. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
3. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
4. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
5. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
1. Faith and assurance, 163
2. Appearances of the risen Jesus, 448, 641-46
3. Resurrection of Jesus, 651-55
4. Eschatology, 673-74
5. The Holy Spirit and the Church, 737-41
6. Apostles’ teaching, 857
7. Communal life, 949-53
8. Sanctifying presence of the risen Christ in the liturgy, 1084-89
9. Breaking of bread, 1329, 1342
10. I believe in the forgiveness of sins, 1441-42
11. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, 1461-67
12. Our new birth in the Resurrection of Christ, 1988 (also 654-55)
13. Christian spirituality, 2013-16
14. The Sunday Eucharist, 2177-78 (also 1342)
Prayer, 2624-25
15. Blessing, 2626-27
16. Communion of spiritual goods, 2790 (also 949-53, 1329, 2624)

Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)
Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041920.cfm
Lectionary: 43

First Reading
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves
to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life,
to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone,
and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
All who believed were together and had all things in common;
they would sell their property and possessions
and divide them among all according to each one’s need.
Every day they devoted themselves
to meeting together in the temple area
and to breaking bread in their homes.
They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.
And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Responsorial
Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
R. (1) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I was hard pressed and was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just:
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Second Reading
1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,
kept in heaven for you
who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith,
to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
In this you rejoice, although now for a little while
you may have to suffer through various trials,
so that the genuineness of your faith,
more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire,
may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Although you have not seen him you love him;
even though you do not see him now yet believe in him,
you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Alleluia
John 20:29
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 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.