Second Sunday of Easter 

Today we hear how Jesus appeared to his disciples, but how one of them, Thomas, found it difficult to believe that Jesus was risen from the dead. Let’s find out what happened… 

Before we hear the Gospel, we sing our special Alleluia song - something we didn't do during Lent. It is good to hear it again, Alleluia! 

 

You can read the Gospel yourself, or ask a grown up or older brother or sister to read it to you. 

A reading from the Gospel of John

It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities.

Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!”

In his disciples' presence Jesus performed many other miracles which are not written down in this book. But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.

(Gospel passage John 20:19-31 taken from Good News Translation® and used with permission, see details below*)

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Think quietly for a moment about the words that you have just heard. 

Think or talk together about these questions:

• What happened in the Gospel?
• How did the disciples feel when they saw Jesus alive again? 
• What did Thomas say to the others when they told him they had seen Jesus? 
• What do you think Jesus meant when he said “How happy are those who believe without seeing me!” 

Something to think about together: 

Can you think of a time when you didn’t believe something someone told you, until you’d seen it for yourself?  

We are all a bit like Thomas sometimes. In just the same way, it isn’t always easy for us to believe in God and Jesus. Even though we listen to the gospel, and hear about God’s love for us from people at church, home and school, it can be difficult to keep believing when things go wrong or when we are sad or afraid. 

We are blessed by God, because we believe in Jesus even though we haven’t seen him like the disciples did. Even though it is difficult for us to believe sometimes we try to remember that God always loves us.  

Let us try not to be like Thomas this week. Let’s do our best to believe that Jesus is the risen Son of God, to remember God’s love for us, even in the saddest and hardest times and to share the peace of Christ with each other all around the world.  

 

We pray together:

We pray for all people who are sad, lonely, frightened, sick or troubled: that God may give them hope in the darkest times. May we love and care for one another so no one feels alone. Lord, in your mercy…  

We pray for our parish, family and friends: that we may find it in our hearts to believe and to share the peace of Christ with each other. Lord, in your mercy…  

Going forth: 

How will you share God’s peace with others in your family this week? 

 

 

Liturgy resources adapted from: https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s-liturgy