+ GOSPEL: John 20:19-31
The story of Easter continues as the risen Jesus appears to his disciples. His words to Thomas offer a
blessing to all who entrust themselves in faith to the risen Lord.
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the
house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and
stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them
his hands and his side. Then 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.” When he
had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you
forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are
retained.”
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when
Jesus came. So the other disciples told 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 in the mark of
the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
5
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them.
Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be
with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out
your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My
Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not
written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is
the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
After the gospel is read, the following is said responsively:
P: The gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
