Second Sunday of Easter 2020: JN:20-19-31, Homily, Prayers of the Faithful, and Art

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“My Lord and My God!” Painting by: Ronald Raab, CSC 2018

CLICK HERE for my Sunday homily

 

Gospel JN 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 nail marks
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.

 

 

Second Sunday of Easter

Prayers of the Faithful

Let us pray that a shadow of healing and faith may flow over those who struggle to believe in Christ Jesus in this uncertain time of COVID-19.  May the resurrection open the door to faith and peace.

We pray to the Lord

Let us pray for the weak and tired, that the mercy of the Risen Christ may find a home in the bruises and suffering of our friends and families. Let us rely solely on the Holy Spirit.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the courage to touch the suffering of the Body of Christ on earth, those without homes and comfort, those without hope for a decent education, and people without  sufficient food. We pray for Divine Mercy upon people most in need of hope.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the Universal Church, that we may touch the wounded Christ on earth so to reveal the hope of his resurrection for the weary and outcast. Let us break out from fear and doubt especially in this time of financial uncertainty and widespread disease.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray that we may build our parish on fidelity to Christ’s new life and the courage to work among people who live in fear and darkness. Let us proclaim Christ’s peace.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our family members who have died in these past weeks. For salvation for the dead, especially the unclaimed bodies in Potter’s Fields.  For healing among those who grieve.

We pray to the Lord.

2 thoughts on “Second Sunday of Easter 2020: JN:20-19-31, Homily, Prayers of the Faithful, and Art

  1. Thank you Fr. Ron for your prayers and encouragement. Your homily helps me to direct my thoughts in a positive way. God bless you and your family.

  2. Blessings on Divine Mercy Sunday. Thank you on the beautiful sermon. May I feel the Peace, Joy and Hope that Jesus has given to us. May I help to spread that to those who need to feel Love.

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