Easter is definitely not over! We have a continuous celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, the traditional fifty days between Easter Sunday and Pentecost. The problem is that we rightfully expend so much energy on Lent and, especially, the Paschal Triduum that the Easter season seems to be an afterthought. What happened to the weekly Friday soup suppers and Stations of the Cross?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults points us in the right direction. OCIA now enters into the period of Mystagogia, when the newly received Christians receive post-Easter catechesis to integrate them fully into the life of the community. Perhaps this Easter season, we can look for ways in which we can more fully integrate our daily lives into the awesome wonder of our Risen Lord.
On this Second Sunday of Easter, we also celebrate a relatively new feast in the Catholic Church, the Sunday of Divine Mercy. Established in the Roman Calendar by Pope Saint John Paul II in the year 2000, the devotion to the Divine Mercy of Christ was first promoted by Saint Faustina Kowalski who experienced a personal vision of the Risen Jesus.
Today’s readings certainly point us to Divine Mercy. In the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see:
They even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. A large number of people gathered . . . bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.
Historians say that in the Roman Empire, the sick were often tossed into the streets and left to die. Christian compassion went a long way in converting pagan Rome.
In today’s Gospel from John, we are inspired by the very moving story of Thomas and his encounter with the Risen Christ. Thomas was an apostle, part of Jesus’ inner circle, yet he lacked the faith to believe that his Lord had risen from the dead. But this lack of faith did not deter Jesus from reaching out to his friend. Through the dark clouds of disbelief, Jesus presented Thomas with his hands, feet and side, so brutally wounded by the horror of his crucifixion. The marks of that very human death became the instrument of Divine Mercy, touching Thomas as he had never been touched before. He could only respond in faith, “My Lord and my God.”
When we let go of doubt and disbelief, we receive the gift of forgiveness and inner peace. Through the wounds of his humanity, Jesus’ divinity shines ever so brightly. Isn’t this worth celebrating for fifty days?
2nd Sunday of Easter Entrance Antiphon Receive the Joy of Your Glory [Option 2] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #92
Antiphon Option 2 captures the Easter season’s joy.
Entrance Chant Alleluia! Love Is Alive (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Jesse Manibusan)
Spirit & Song #177; Breaking Bread #189
A relatively new “Easter carol,” let’s sing this jubilant song often over the fifty days of Easter.
Blessing and Sprinkling of Water I Saw Water Flowing (Casey McKinley)
Breaking Bread #634
We sang this new song at the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. By now it will be very familiar as the priest sprinkles the people with the blessed water.
Responsorial Psalm Give Thanks to the Lord for He Is Good (Tom Kendzia)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 198
Psalm 118 was also sung last Sunday but please note today’s verses are different than the text used for Easter Sunday.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Misa del Mundo (Jesse Manibusan and Tony Gómez)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 200
As always, the Acclamation verse helps us to focus on the message of today’s Gospel.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Hold On to Love (Jesse Manibusan)
Breaking Bread #430
Jesse’s gentle ballad sings of Divine Mercy. Note that the song is now available with Spanish text and can be sung bilingually, making it more accessible to the larger community.
2nd Sunday of Easter Communion Antiphon Bring Your Hand and Feel the Place of the Nails (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #93
The antiphon text from John 20:27 reinforces the Gospel’s message of mercy and faith.
Communion Chant Ye Sons and Daughters (Traditional; arr. by Josh Blakesley)
Spirit & Song #185; Breaking Bread #184
This is Easter classic is a “must-sing” for Divine Mercy Sunday as the verses tell the story of Thomas and the Risen Jesus.
Sending Forth This Is Amazing Grace (Phil Whickham, Jeremy Riddle, and Josh Farro)
We occasionally recommend songs that are not in OCP’s print resources because of their popularity with communities that sing contemporary music. You will find the sheet music for this song in the link above.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
If you want to use songs that are not in any of the books you have, you can license the songs through ONE LICENSE. Paying for the usage of songs will ensure the Church will have quality songs for years to come.