Children's Liturgy Series: 2nd Sunday of Easter Sunday (Cycle A)

In today's Gospel we learn about how Thomas, one of the 12 apostles, could not believe that Jesus had risen unless he saw Jesus in person and could touch His wounds. Jesus teaches us that those believe without seeing, are blessed.

Father in Heaven we praise and glorify you. We thank you for bringing us together to hear your story. Thank you for revealing to us the many people you appeared to after your resurrection. Please send us the Holy Spirit so that we too can believe without seeing. Help us to recognize your voice in our daily activities. In Jesus's name we pray. 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 midst and 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 nail marks 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.

Tell the children that this week’s Gospel is the second Sunday of the Easter season. Remind them that in last week’s Gospel the disciples discovered that Jesus’ tomb was empty, but the disciples did not understand what that meant.

Say: In today’s Gospel we hear that the disciples met Jesus after he was raised from the dead. Let’s listen to the description of this event in John’s Gospel.

Ask: With what words did Jesus greet the disciples? (“Peace be with you.”) How did the disciples know that it was Jesus who appeared before them? (He showed them his hands and side.) What gift did Jesus give to them? (the gift of the Holy Spirit) What did Jesus expect the disciples to do? (Jesus expected the disciples to continue the work that he had begun. Jesus told them that they had the ability to forgive sins.) How do you think the disciples felt after that encounter with the risen Jesus? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

Say: There is more to today’s Gospel. One disciple was not with the others when Jesus appeared. Let’s hear what happened when he heard about Jesus’ appearance.

Ask: What did the disciples tell Thomas? (that they had seen the Lord) How did Thomas respond? (He didn’t believe it. He wanted proof.) What proof did Thomas want? (to see Jesus’ hands and side) Do you think Thomas’s reaction to the news about Jesus was reasonable? Why? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

Say: When Jesus appeared to Thomas, Thomas believed that Jesus had been raised from the dead. What did Thomas say to Jesus? (Thomas called Jesus his Lord and God.) Say: Because Thomas saw Jesus, Thomas came to believe that Jesus was his Lord and God. What was Jesus’ response to Thomas? (Jesus said that people who believe in his Resurrection without actually seeing him are blessed.)

Say: Jesus was speaking to Thomas, but he was also speaking to us. We too are asked to show that we believe in Jesus as our Lord and God. We believe because of the witness of those who have gone before us in the faith.

Conclude by praying together that we will remain confident in the faith that we have received from the apostles and the Church. 

Father in Heaven, we thank you for this lesson on faith. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who gives us courage and strength. Help us to believe without seeing. Please use us as an instrument to help others believe as well. in Jesus's name we pray. Amen.