Second Sunday of Easter B

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

  • The gospel for the day
  • Some optional questions for reflection
  • Prayers of Intercession
  • Cluster Prayer
  • The gospel of the week ahead with commentary and questions.

John 20: 19-31   Eight days later, Jesus came.


In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.
‘As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said:
‘Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’

Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:
‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.


This is the gospel of the Lord. 

Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved.


Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week. Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts.
If you are interested  in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word from any of the resources you have watched please email us.         cluster.alpha@outlook.com

Thank goodness for Thomas! He represents that human side in all of us that needs proof and reassurance. It did not matter that every other man and woman in that tight-knit group claimed to have seen the risen Lord... "Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Not knowing... is the basis for our faith, our dependence on the One who does know - and love.

  1. Whenever doubt about your faith arose, how did you manage it and get through it?
  2. What could you do this week to inspire your family to resemble the early Christians
    more closely? *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

Christ is risen and the power of His Resurrection fills the world today with new life, hope and expectation. The response to “Hear us Risen Lord” is “Our Resurrection and Life”. So with confidence we pray:-

 

For Pope Francis and all church leaders, that the hope of their Easter message, will soften the prejudice and hostility in the hearts of those opposed to the truth of the Gospel.

Hear us Risen Lord, Our Resurrection and Life

 

For our broken but beautiful world, and, on this day especially, for the land we call “holy”. May those in positions of power come to realise we are all God’s children, and that the gifts of the earth are for everyone, and seek a just solution to the ongoing oppression.

Hear us Risen Lord, Our Resurrection and Life

 

For organisations bringing relief and comfort to refugees and for countries generously welcoming displaced people. May the light of Christ shine through humanitarian actions, to bring a message of love to everyone surrounded by darkness.

Hear us Risen Lord, Our Resurrection and Life

 

For all those in our community who have troubled lives. May the local churches work together to bring Christ’s healing touch to people who have never experienced the power of God’s unconditional love.

Hear us Risen Lord, Our Resurrection and Life

 

For ourselves, that the Spirit of Truth will be implanted in our hearts, so we will reject what is false and live by the commands of Christ, to love and forgive one another.

Hear us Risen Lord, Our Resurrection and Life

 

For everyone in our cluster parishes who is sick, housebound or in hospital, and those on the Prayer Foundation List. May they be aware of the healing power of Christ’s presence through all who care for them.

Hear us Risen Lord, Our Resurrection and Life

 

For those who have died and for their family and friends who mourn them. In particular Kathleen Coyle, Peter Simmons, Anthony Lawson, Jean Lugton, Jan Newton and Sister Margaret Service. May the Risen Lord greet them with love and mercy and grant them the happiness of His Kingdom.

Hear us Risen Lord, Our Resurrection and Life


Let us now say together our prayer to be missionary disciples.

Lord continue to bless our community
in this time of transition.
Help us on our journey
to grow from a maintenance church
to a missionary church.
Give us the courage
to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough
to receive all who need
human love and fellowship;
narrow enough to shut out
all envy, pride and prejudice.
Kindle in us the fire of your love
that all who come here
will find joy, peace and love.
Make this a house of prayer
and a gateway to your kingdom.
AMEN

Preparing for next week -  Third Sunday of Easter B

Luke  24: 35-48  So you see how it is written

that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.


The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread. They were still talking about all this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes.

Then he told them, ‘This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled.’ He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.

This is the gospel of the Lord.   Commentary on the readings


Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

As so often before, Jesus teaches in the context of a meal: whilst people are seated and sharing food - such a good time to talk about one's faith. I'm sure his disciples had many questions!

Food sharing & faith sharing: that's Alpha and connect groups. Sadly it's not what happens at Mass.

  1. How can we encourage people to speak more freely about their Christian beliefs and values?
  2. What questions about Jesus still arise in the midst of your faith? *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center