Readings and Themes for the Week of April 11, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of April 11, 2010,
Divine Mercy Sunday

Reading Acts 5:12-16

Peter's faith in Jesus enables him to work signs and wonders.

Psalm 118

"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting."

Reading II Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19

He is the first and the last, the one who lives.

Gospel: John 20:19-31

How blessed are those who have not seen but have believed.

THEME:

Receive the Holy Spirit

Today’s scriptures invite us to gather around the risen Christ, whose words echo across the millennia to each person in this holy place: “Peace be with you.” This blessing is at the heart of the message of Easter. As the scriptures are proclaimed, let us pray for a continued outpouring of peace on a world grown weary by war and violence.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

Jesus appeared to the disciples even though they were afraid and locked in the closed room.

How can you show Jesus to another person this week by the way you act?

Question for Youth:

Thomas didn't believe because he hadn't seen Jesus with his own eyes.

How hard is it for you to believe in God without being able to see God?

How do you see God in the words and actions of others?

Question for Adults:

Jesus said: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Give one example of how you will show your belief in Jesus this week -- how you are being sent forth.

Stewardship
"Blessed are those who have not seen and believe."

John tells us that the disciples who abandoned Jesus when He was arrested and taken to the cross [John was one of them] were locked in a room a week after they had seen him risen from the dead and had appeared to them in that same room. Jesus had good reason to be disappointed with them, but He says to them, “Peace be with you!” He knew it was difficult for them to believe even though they had seen. And He knew how difficult it would be for us who had not seen to believe. That is why, at our Baptism, our parents, or we ourselves if we are old enough, promise to make our faith constantly grow stronger in our hearts and to bring that faith unstained into heaven. We renewed our Baptismal Promises on Easter Sunday. What have we done to make our faith grow stronger in our hearts? What are we doing? What will we do in the future? Are we being good stewards of our faith?

Stewardship Expressions

Stewardship starts with the personal experience of the Risen Christ in our midst and in our hearts. It is a vocation to discipleship. We have so much to consider as we progress through Easter and Spring.

Learn about Our Lord’s special grants of mercy and forgiveness to sinners on Divine Mercy Sunday (April 11th). Citizen stewardship is reflected on tax day (April 15thth). We celebrate and value God’s Creation in special ways on Earth Day (April 22nd). Throughout the month, let us strive to further develop our personal relationship with the Risen Christ and give witness to our discipleship through our stewardship expressions of daily living.