1ST READING
The
Apostles may have had a privileged experience of the person of Jesus
but they certainly cannot be accused of wasting it. We are told they
worked many miracles — how many have we worked? I do not ask this
question tongue-incheek. It is a serious question because we have been
given no lesser access to the power of the Gospel than the Apostles and
the saints. Let us never look for excuses to explain our lack of faith
and trust in God, but find ways in which we can grow in it. One of these
is to step out and ask God to work miracles in our lives and in our
ministries.
Acts 5:12-16
12 Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s portico. 13 None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them. 14 Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them. 15 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. 16 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.
P S A L M
Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
R: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.
2 Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His mercy endures forever.” (R) 13 I was hard pressed and was falling, but the Lord helped me. 14 My
strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. 15 The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just: (R) 22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. 24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. (R)
2ND READING
John
captures a fundamental truth of our faith in the opening statement of
this reading. He speaks of Christians’ solidarity in suffering. Just as
we rejoice in the successes and grace at work in us, as individuals and
as a community, so must we share in one another’s sufferings and so
lighten one another’s load. How do you actively stand in solidarity with
the poor? How do you let them know that they do not suffer alone but
that, through the practical things that you are doing, you stand with
them in their suffering and trials?
Revelation 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19
9 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. 10 I was caught up in spirit on the Lord’s day and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, 11 which said, “Write on a scroll what you see.” 12 Then I turned to see whose voice it
was that spoke to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands 13 and in the midst of the lampstands an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest. 17 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, 18 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. 19 Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.”
GOSPEL
The
Apostles must have been totally confused after the death of Jesus on
the cross. They could not hide from it because it was a public spectacle
— their Rabbi crucified and dead on the cross. This, I think, is one of
the reasons why He greets them with the word “Peace!” when He meets
them after His resurrection. Would there be a more comforting greeting
than this one? When faced with the many confusing and confounding
experiences of life, let us pray that we will find peace with the
knowledge that Jesus is with us as we go through them.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe!
John 20:19-31
19 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.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The Disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 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.” 26 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.” 27 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.” 28 Thomas answered and saidto him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 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.
think: Let us never look for excuses to explain our lack of faith and trust in God, but find ways in which we can grow in it.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today_
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Exodus 25-27
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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