Key Themes

Easter 2A

Study, Pray, Serve

PODCAST: Courtesy of Fr. Andrew Ricci (Superior, Wisconsin) *

Readings for the Season of Easter

GOSPEL

Peace be with you, he said

Jn 20:19-31

In the Gospel reading, we see more than a Resurrection appearance of Jesus to his disciples; we also see their joy and the transformation of their lives.
Because of the new courage that followed from their faith, the disciples move from a state of fear to joy.
The second half of the Gospel depicts Thomas’ struggle to believe in the Resurrection. The passage challenges Christians to do better, to believe without seeing.

FIRST READING

They devoted themselves to a communal life

Acts 2:42-47

A picture of the early Christian community is given in today’s first reading from Acts of the Apostles.
The Jerusalem Christians met together with joyful hearts.
The early Christians lived in the reality of new life in Jesus.

SECOND READING

There is cause for rejoicing here

1 Pt 1:3-9

The First Letter of Peter is a strong witness to the power of faith.
The author bursts forth in song, praising God whose gift of faith is our realization of new life, new birth.
We are delivered from death for life in the Lord.

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Movie Connections

Easter 2A

Much like Thomas, one of the disciples, who could not believe Jesus’ resurrection until he saw it for himself, Cecilia’s friends and family could not believe her claims of Adrian’s abuse until they saw him with their own eyes.

The Shack (2017)

Mack’s experiences at the shack mirror the events following the resurrection of Jesus. Just as Jesus showed up to the apostles in physical form, metaphorically, God shows up at the shack to comfort and heal Mack’s broken heart.

Risen (2016)

The movie tells the story of a Roman tribune named Clavius who is tasked with finding the body of Jesus after the crucifixion. As he investigates, he begins to question his own beliefs and comes face to face with the resurrected Jesus.

Doubt (2008)

Both the biblical story of Thomas’ doubt in John 20:19-31, and the 2008 drama film “Doubt” by John Patrick Shanley, explore the theme of doubt and its effects on the human experience.

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Art Connections

Easter 2A

Analyzing 'Doubting' Thomas

Br. Leven Harton discusses Caravaggio's painting of his patron St. Thomas.

YouTube

Eugene Burnand

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas

(6:40) – This week we look at one of Caravaggio’s most famous paintings. ‘The incredulity of saint Thomas’ recalls the moment when Christ appeared to His disciples with Thomas specially in His mind. The apostle had doubted Christ’s resurrection, claiming that he needed to see the holes made by the nails. In this painting, Caravaggio shows exactly what happens, as Christ invites Thomas to place his finger in the wound made by the lance of the Cross. All three apostles watch the events unfold in utter inanimate astonishment.

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Sand Art: Reflection

Song Connections

Easter 2A

He Did (Doubting Thomas’ Song)

Written from Thomas’s perspective, it takes us for a ride on his roller coaster of emotions following the death of Jesus—insecurity, hurt, fear—before pulling at last into the station of confident faith. Read more, including lyrics, at Art & Theology blog.

Acrostic Poems

Easter 2A

GOSPEL READING

Doubting Thomas

D istracted by doubts and fears
O verwhelming uncertainty
U nable to believe what he hears
B attling a lack of clarity
T ormented by skepticism
I ncredulous, yet inquisitive
N eeding proof, seeking wisdom
G ranted a divine visit
T aught the truth was life-giving
H umbled by the risen Lord
O vercoming doubt, forever living
M ajestic, worshipping with accord
A ssumption replaced by faith
S alvation found in Christ’s grace

SECOND READING

Resurrection

R ejoice in the hope given to us,
E ternally, through Christ Jesus;
S acrificed for our redemption,
U nited forever in our salvation;
R ansomed by His precious blood,
R ebirthed into a living hope,
E agerly waiting for His return,
C rucified, buried, resurrected,
T he cornerstone of our faith,
I nexpressible joy fills our hearts,
O vercoming trials, refining our faith,
N o power on earth can break our bond.

Haiku

Easter 2A

GOSPEL READING

The disciples hid
Behind locked doors, afraid and sad
Jesus came to them

“Peace be with you,” he said
Showing his wounded hands and side
The disciples believed

But Thomas was not there
He doubted their testimony
Until he saw him

“My Lord and my God!”
Thomas exclaimed with great faith
Jesus blessed him too

SECOND READING

Blessed be our God,
Through His great mercy and love,
New life has been born.

Though trials may come,
Our faith, tested and proven,
Will bring us great joy.

Salvation is near,
Through faith in Christ, we endure,
The world’s fleeting pains.

Though unseen by eyes,
In Christ, our souls are secure,
Eternal reward.

FIRST READING

All things in common,
Their hearts and minds united,
The Church grew in love.

Daily breaking bread,
Gladness and simplicity,
Praising God with awe.

Selling possessions,
Generosity abounds,
Sharing wealth and love.

In the temple, praise
Sharing meals with joyful hearts,
The Lord added souls.

Iambic Pentameter Sonnets

Easter 2A

GOSPEL

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

At evening, on that same day of rest,
The doors were closed, the disciples distressed.
They were frightened, with fear in their hearts,
But Jesus appeared, and brought them a new start.

He said to them, “Peace be with you, my friends,
Receive the Holy Spirit, the power that sends.
Forgive the sins of others, as I have done,
And go proclaim the truth to everyone.”

Thomas was not with them, doubting still,
But Jesus came again, his doubts to fill.
“Put your finger here, see my hands and side
Believe and have faith, in me always abide.”

Jesus appeared, his love and power revealed
To show his friends, all doubts and fears repealed.

Doubting Thomas and His Faith

Thomas, the doubter, would not believe,
That Jesus had risen, and could achieve,
The promise that he had made to his friends,
To conquer death’s grip, and make amends.

The doors were locked, yet Jesus appeared,
Offering Thomas the proof he had feared.
“Put your finger in my hands and side,
And know the truth, and in me abide.”

Thomas believed, he saw the light,
Restored to faith, no longer in plight.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who believe,
Without seeing, their faith I receive.”

The disciples saw Jesus’ power and might,
And through Thomas, faith was restored to sight.

FIRST READING

Acts 2:43-47

And they devoted themselves unto the Lord,
Breaking bread and sharing all they owned.
With joyful hearts they praised in one accord,
In wonder at the grace that God had shown.

They met together in the temple walls,
And in their homes they shared both hope and love.
They gave to all who had a need or call,
And testified the goodness from above.

Their hearts were full, their minds fixed on the Truth,
And many came to know the love of Christ.
The Spirit moved, renewing hearts and youth,
And they embraced their call with great delight.

So let us too, be as those saints of old,
And share our faith in Christ, with love untold.

Help Us to Be Like Them

From house to house they spread the good news wide,
In homes they met, breaking the bread of life.
With grace and mercy as their guiding guide,
They lived each day with faith that conquered strife.

They saw the miracles that God could do,
And daily they encountered His great grace.
With unity that made the angels view,
They served the Lord, rejoicing in His face.

Their joy came from their Savior’s sacrifice,
And daily, they sought ways to serve His will.
Each breath they breathed, was thanking Him with spice,
And all they did was from a place of thrill.

Oh Lord, help us to be like them and more,
Devoted unto You, our hearts You explore.