Second Sunday of Easter (Year C)

First Reading - Acts 9.1-11a,15,17-19a

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Saul continued, with his every breath, to make murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. From the high priest, he obtained letters authorising him to go to the synagogues in Damascus, to search for disciples there, to arrest them, and to bring them to Jerusalem. On this journey, as he was approaching Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly surrounded him. He fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ Saul asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the reply came, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get up, and enter the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless, because they heard the voice, but saw no one. When Saul got up from the ground, though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so those who were travelling with him led him, by the hand, into Damascus. And for three days, Saul was without sight, and he neither ate nor drank. Now in Damascus, there was a disciple called Anan-ias. The Lord directed Anan-ias, in a vision, to go to the place where Saul was staying. The Lord said, ‘Go to him, for I have chosen him to proclaim my name, to people of every nation, and to their kings, and to the people of Israel.’ So Anan-ias went, and entered the house where Saul was staying, and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me to you, to pray that you will regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And when Anan-ias laid his hands on Saul to pray, immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes; and his sight was restored. And Saul got up, and was baptised; and after taking some food, Saul regained his strength. This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Revelation 1.9-13,17-19

A reading from the book of Revelation. As your brother in Christ Jesus, I, John, share with you, with patient endurance, through suffering and persecution, in the promise of God’s kingdom. I was in exile on the island of Patmos, for speaking openly of Jesus, and for preaching the word of God. I was in the Spirit, on the Lord’s day, and I heard, behind me, a loud voice, like a trumpet, saying: ‘Write, in a book, what you see, and send it, to the seven churches of Asia.’

I turned to see whose voice it was, that spoke to me. And on turning, I saw seven golden lampstands; and there, with them, one like the Son of Man, in a long robe, with a golden sash across his chest. When I saw him, I fell at his feet, as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive for evermore; and I hold the keys of death and the underworld. Now write down all that you have seen, all that is now, and all that is still to take place.’ 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.