Catholic Identity
Prayer for Pope Francis & Sr Kathleen (St Peter's first Principal)
Loving and Merciful God,
We thank You for the lives of Pope Francis and Sr. Kathleen, who served You and Your people with faith, courage, and love.
Welcome them now into the joy of Your heavenly kingdom.
May they see You face to face and be filled with Your everlasting peace.
For all the times they comforted the sorrowful, taught the searching, and led the Church with gentle hearts, we give You thanks.
Comfort those who mourn their loss.
Help us carry on the mission they loved: to live humbly, to serve joyfully, and to love deeply.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
Second Sunday of Easter
Gospel: John 19-31
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."
20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told 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 in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Summary:
After Jesus' resurrection, he appeared to his disciples even though they were hiding behind locked doors. He gave them peace, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the mission to forgive sins. Thomas, one of the apostles, wasn’t there the first time and doubted their story. A week later, Jesus appeared again and invited Thomas to touch his wounds. Seeing Jesus, Thomas believed and called him "My Lord and my God." Jesus blessed those who believe even without seeing. John explains that these stories were written so we can believe in Jesus and have life through him.
Reflection Questions:
When have you found it hard to believe something without proof? How did you work through your doubts?
What does it mean to you that Jesus brings peace and forgiveness even when we are scared or uncertain?
How can you live your faith in a way that helps others believe without having to "see" first?