Second Sunday 0f Easter, Cycle B

Prayer

Eternal Father, as we celebrate the Resurrection of Your Son, fill us with the joys of Your Divine Mercy upon us. May we who are baptized remain faithful to You, who live and reign with Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Commentary

1st Reading: Acts 4:32-35

There isn’t a person on Earth who can take what they have with them to the next life.

Those of us who claim to be Christian take this thought a step further. We cannot claim to hold anything as our own, even in this life. In reality, all that we hold is only borrowed. Our land, clothes, toys, and – yes – even our loved ones are not ours to claim.

The early disciples, after the resurrection of Christ, understood this and began distributing their goods to one another. The First Reading tells us that these disciples “held everything in common” and placing their goods at the Apostles’ feet, the goods were distributed to each according to their need.”

These disciples witnessed a crucified Christ empty Himself on the cross and on the third day be raised to glory. They understood that a spiritual and physical emptiness opened oneself to the power of the Risen Christ working in them.

Question:

In what way did the spiritual discipline of Lent help you to empty yourself in order to celebrate the joys of the Risen Christ this Easter?

2nd Reading: 1 John 5:1-6

At the Easter Vigil, many men, women, and children came into the Church and were “begotten” by God through the waters of Baptism.

John 1 reminds us that a Christian is not born naturally, but through faith in Christ Jesus. This is confirmed in the first chapter of the Gospel of John where disciples of Christ are born again not by generation but by regeneration.

Regeneration means that we are a new creature and we have a new name: Christian. We are no longer merely human. Our nature is human, but by grace we have a share in the divinity of Christ who humbled Himself to share in our humanity. Only by grace through regeneration do we share in Christ’s nature.

Through faith and Baptism we are “victors of the world.”

Our victory is through, with, and in Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord. He is the first to conquer sin and death and all who follow him in faith enjoy the benefits of resurrection as well.

This still requires something of us who place our faith in Him. Those who abide in the “Spirit of Truth,” and “keep His commandments” are called sons and daughters of God. When we love others who are begotten by God, we honor the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Questions:

How do you celebrate the grace of being Christian?

How are you different from those who have never been baptized?

In what way are you inviting others to place their faith in the Risen Lord?

Gospel: John 20:19-31

Pope St. John Paul II, responding to a devotion he had to the spiritual apparition of Saint Faustina, designated the Second Sunday of Easter as “Divine Mercy Sunday.”

On this day, Catholics are invited to reflect on the absolute Mercy of God upon us who are sinners. This mercy was fulfilled through Jesus Christ who suffered and died for us and rose from the dead.

God’s mercy was recognized by the Apostles in the upper room when Jesus said, “Peace be with you!”

Jewish sacrifices, according to the Book of Leviticus, were offered for the guilt and sins of the people. They were also offered as means to give thanks to God. Finally, sacrifices were made as peace offerings to seal covenants and contracts.

Jesus’ words, “Peace be with you,” seal the new covenant with all who have faith in the Lord. The benefit of this new covenant is the grace of the Holy Spirit who is breathed upon the Apostles in the upper room.

The Divine Mercy of God was sealed by Christ!

Question:

How have you celebrated the Mercy of God in your life?

This Week’s Task

At 3:00 p.m., Catholics gather on Divine Mercy Sunday (and any day) to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The chaplet is a selfless prayer, offering Jesus to the Father for the sins of the world. Consider offering this prayer for the world.

Group Prayer

The leader invites the gathering to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. See the page on how to pray the Divine Chaplet. If time does not permit, the leader may may have the gathering say together:

“Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those

of the whole world.”

A Divine Mercy Image may be placed on a table as a point for reflection.

The leader will then guide the group in praying Psalm 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24.

Continue with Psalm

Psalm

Response: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.

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.

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.

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.

Conclude with an Our Father