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 4:32-35

The community was of one heart.

The readings for the Sundays after Easter reflect on the experiences of the early Church.
Today's first reading presents an ideal of the early Christian community.
The result of true Christian love put into practice is justice.

Reading II : 1 John 5:1-6

We are called to keep the commandments of God.

In the second reading, John makes the point that through Christ's blood and sacrifice; at the moment of Christ's death, the world is saved.
By our Baptism into the death of Jesus, we are born to new life as children of God.
Our duty is simply to believe in Jesus Christ.

Gospel : John 20:19-31

Peace be with you.

The gospel is John's description of the first appearance of Jesus since the resurrection.
In the first appearance, Jesus gives the disciples peace and joy and breathes new life into them, bestowing on them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In the second appearance, Jesus appears to Thomas and by showing his wounds he gives Thomas the evidence he needs to believe.