Easter

The sound of Alleluias fills the 50 days of Easter Sunday to Pentecost as we give thanks for the gift of our salvation. The Easter Triduum recalls the passion and resurrection of Christ in the sacred journey from Holy Thursday to Easter Vigil. "Dying he destroyed our death. Rising he restored our life."

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

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Second Sunday of Easter

Reading I : Acts 5:12-16

The number of women and men who came to believe increased steadily.

The first reading from Acts of the Apostles summarizes the ideal Christian community.
Today's passage describes the witness of the community to outsiders.
The Christian community continues the healing ministry of the Risen Christ.

Reading II : Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19

I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever.

Today's reading from Revelation recounts the first vision of the book.
The author describes a vision of the victorious Christ holding all power, even over death.
Christ is the beginning and the end, his power endures beyond all persecution.

Gospel : John 20:19-31

After eight days Jesus came in and stood among them.

The Gospel passage narrates two appearances of the risen Jesus. In both stories, his first words are "Peace be with you."
Jesus sent his disciples out with the gift of peace, to be signs of his healing presence in the world.
The second appearance involves the apostle Thomas who needs evidence of Jesus' resurrection.