April 27, 2014

First Reading

Acts  2: 42-47

2:42 Now they were persevering in the doctrine of the Apostles, and in the communion of the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers.

2:43 And fear developed in every soul. Also, many miracles and signs were accomplished by the Apostles in Jerusalem. And there was a great awe in everyone.

2:44 And then all who believed were together, and they held all things in common.

2:45 They were selling their possessions and belongings, and dividing them to all, just as any of them had need.

2:46 Also, they continued, daily, to be of one accord in the temple and to break bread among the houses; and they took their meals with exultation and simplicity of heart,

2:47 praising God greatly, and holding favor with all the people. And every day, the Lord increased those who were being saved among them.

Second Reading

The First Letter of Saint Peter      1: 3-9

1:3	Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has regenerated us into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead:
1:4	unto an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading inheritance, which is reserved for you in heaven.
1:5	By the power of God, you are guarded through faith for a salvation which is ready to be revealed in the end time.
1:6	In this, you should exult, if now, for a brief time, it is necessary to be made sorrowful by various trials,
1:7	so that the testing of your faith, which is much more precious than gold tested by fire, may be found in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1:8	For though you have not seen him, you love him. In him also, though you do not see him, you now believe. And in believing, you shall exult with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
1:9	returning with the goal of your faith, the salvation of souls.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John   20: 19-31

20:19	Then, when it was late on the same day, on the first of the Sabbaths, and the doors were closed where the disciples were gathered, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and he said to them: “Peace to you.”
20:20	And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and side. And the disciples were gladdened when they saw the Lord.
20:21	Therefore, he said to them again: “Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
20:22	When he had said this, he breathed on them. And he said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit.
20:23	Those whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and those whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”
20:24	Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus arrived.
20:25	Therefore, the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I will see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the place of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
20:26	And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas was with them. Jesus arrived, though the doors had been closed, and he stood in their midst and said, “Peace to you.”
20:27	Next, he said to Thomas: “Look at my hands, and place your finger here; and bring your hand close, and place it at my side. And do not choose to be unbelieving, but faithful.”
20:28	Thomas responded and said to him, “My Lord and my God.”
20:29	Jesus said to him: “You have seen me, Thomas, so you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
20:30	Jesus also accomplished many other signs in the sight of his disciples. These have not been written in this book.
20:31	But these things have been written, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so that, in believing, you may have life in his name.