Second Sunday of Easter (Year A)

First Reading - Acts 2.32,36-41

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter said, ‘People of Israel, we are all now witnesses that God has raised up Jesus from the dead. So let it be known, to all Israel, that God has made this Jesus - the one you crucified - to be both Messiah and Lord.’ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter, and the apostles, what they should do. Peter said to them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. Repent, and be baptised, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you, and for your children, and for all who are far away - for all are now called by the Lord our God.’ Those who welcomed Peter’s message were baptised. And that day, about three thousand were added to their number. This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - 1 Peter 1.3-9

A reading from the first letter of Peter. Let us give praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For by the great mercy of God, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we have been given new birth into a new and living faith, and into an inheritance, kept for us in heaven, that will never perish, spoil, or fade. And you, yourselves, are being protected, by the power of God, and by your faith, until the day when our salvation will be fully revealed, at the end of the age. So rejoice, even though, for a little while, you suffer many and various trials. Gold is also tested, by fire. And your faith is more precious than gold! Your present trials demonstrate that your faith is genuine; and that will be to your praise and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him, you trust in him, and you are filled with the glory of a joy beyond words, as your faith leads you on towards the perfection of your salvation. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - John 20.19-31

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. The disciples met together on the evening of the first day of the week, with the doors locked, because they were afraid. And Jesus came, and stood amongst them, and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ He showed them his hands, and his side. And the disciples were filled with joy at seeing the risen Lord. Jesus said to them, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ And breathing on them, he said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone, they are forgiven. If you fail to forgive, sin remains.’ Now one of the twelve, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. When the other disciples told Thomas that they had seen the Lord, Thomas said to them, ‘Unless I see and touch the marks of the nails in his hands, and put my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ A week later, Thomas was with the disciples when they gathered. And again, though the doors were locked, Jesus came, and stood amongst them, and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Jesus said to Thomas, ‘See and touch my hands, and place your hand in my side. Do not doubt, but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord, and my God!’ Jesus said to Thomas, ‘You have seen me, and you have believed. Blessed are those who do not see, and yet believe.’ Jesus did many other signs, in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and through believing, may have life in his name. This is the Gospel of the Lord.