In today's Gospel, we learn about how Jesus, after dying on the cross, appears to the disciples in his resurrected body and eats with them. Thomas, who was not with them, refuses to believe, unless he sees for himself.
Father in Heaven, we praise and glorify you. We thank you for bringing us together for this children's liturgy lesson. Please send us the Holy Spirit, and fill us with your peace, love, and wisdom. Help us to understand the lesson you have for us today. Help us to believe without seeing. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midstand said to them, “Peace be with you.”When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 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.”And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,“Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to 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 into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them.Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
Source: Catholic Kids Media. (2019). Peace be with you! Easter 2C https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWO37TlThuI
What were the disciples doing when Jesus appeared to them?
Answer: The disciples were gathered together behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders.
How did Jesus greet the disciples when He appeared to them?
Answer: Jesus greeted them by saying, "Peace be with you."
What did Jesus show the disciples to prove that it was really Him?
Answer: Jesus showed them His hands and His side, where He had been wounded during the crucifixion.
What did Jesus say about those who believe without seeing?
Answer: Jesus said, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
How did Thomas react when the other disciples told him they had seen Jesus?
Answer: Thomas doubted their story and said he would not believe unless he could see and touch Jesus's wounds himself.
What did Thomas say he needed to do in order to believe that Jesus had risen?
Answer: Thomas said he needed to see the nail marks in Jesus's hands and put his finger where the nails were, and put his hand into Jesus's side.
How did Jesus respond to Thomas's doubts when He appeared again?
Answer: Jesus invited Thomas to touch His wounds and said, "Stop doubting and believe."
What did Thomas say when he finally saw Jesus?
Answer: Thomas exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!"
What does this story teach us about faith and doubt?
Answer: This story teaches us that it's natural to have doubts, but Jesus is patient and understanding. He helps us to believe and encourages us to have faith even when we cannot see.
How can we apply the message of this Gospel story to our daily lives?
Answer: We can apply this message by trusting in Jesus and believing in His presence in our lives, even when we face doubts or challenges. We can also support others in their faith journeys and be patient with those who struggle with doubt.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for your love and patience with us despite our doubt and fears. Help us to have the courage to believe in you without seeing. Fill our hearts with a desire to know you better, and to share the stories of your love with our friends and family. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
