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Children's Liturgy Series: Divine Mercy Sunday (Cycle B)

Author: Joyce Bott

Introduction

In today's Gospel we learn about how Thomas believed only when he saw the risen Lord with his own eyes. Jesus teaches us that through gift of the Holy Spirit we are blessed, for we have not seen yet believe.

Opening Prayer

Holy Spirit, fill my heart and illuminate my mind. Help me to hear and understand God's message today. Help me to recognise when God is trying to speak to me in my daily life. Amen

Gospel (John 20:19-31)

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.

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Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqxfRBYQUPA (Credit to Catholic Kids Media)

Reflection

Say: Jesus knew human beings well. He knew that we would have arguments. But he gave us the remedy for hurt feelings in the gift of reconciliation.

Ask:
What disagreement among the disciples is heard in this Gospel? (Thomas didn’t believe that the other disciples had seen Jesus.) How did Jesus begin the process of reconciliation for the disciples? (He appeared again when Thomas was present; he shared with his disciples the power to forgive sins.) What gift did Jesus give to his disciples to help them forgive sins? (the Holy Spirit)

Say:
Jesus has also given us the power to be people who forgive and reconcile with one another. Whenever we act to bring peace and resolution, we are acting in the spirit of Jesus.

Conclude in prayer together that we will share the gifts of forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation with the people in our lives. Pray together the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis.

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Closing Prayer

Father in heaven, for the conversion of sinners, we give you today, all that we think and do and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen