Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – Second Week of Easter – Sunday – John 20:19-31

The daily Gospel reading from the Mass for Sunday of the Second Week of Easter is John 20:19-31.

After rising from the dead in the predawn hours of Easter Sunday and appearing to multiple eyewitnesses, Easter evening comes and the Apostles (and perhaps other disciples) are holed up behind locked doors in the Upper Room, afraid of the Jews. Suddenly, Christ mysteriously enters despite the “locked” door. He first gives them His peace, reconciling with all those who abandoned Him on the Cross. Christ shows His wounded hands and side, confirming that His crucified body has been resurrected but glorified with mysterious new powers. Again giving the Apostles His peace, Christ “sends” them to spread the Gospel, as the Father sent the Son. Anticipating the great rush of the wind of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), Christ breathes on the Apostles, ordaining them with the Holy Spirit and giving them the exclusive power to forgive or not to forgive sins.

The Apostle Thomas, for an unknown reason, is absent when Christ appears on Easter Sunday and refuses to believe that Christ has risen unless he personally sees and touches Christ’s wounds. Eight days later on the Second Sunday of Easter, Christ returns, again mysteriously entering despite the locked door. After giving the disciples peace, Christ, with supernatural knowledge of Thomas’ doubt, offers Thomas the chance to touch His wounds. Thomas, now believes and exalts Christ, “My Lord and my God!” Christ rebukes Thomas, promising “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

St. John, aware of oral Tradition and the other writings of the New Testament, clarifies that his Gospel provides a secure, but not comprehensive, basis for men to believe and be saved.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ’s glorified Body is eternal, unbound by time and space, able to more through solid objects. Person of the Trinity, Christ gives the Apostles the gift of the Holy Spirit. Divine Priest, Christ ordains the Apostles and gives them the power to forgive sins, establishing the Sacrament of Confession.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Give thanks that Christ desires for men to have peace and the power to give peace to those willing to believe (John 14:27,16:33, 20:19, 21).

2) After ordaining the Apostles, Christ exclusively gives His new priests the power to forgive or retain the sins of men, establishing the Sacrament of Confession (CCC 553, 730, 976, 1441, 1461). Renewed in Easter, pray for Christ to guide to you regularly confess your sins at least monthly.

3) The Apostolic Catholic Church has perfectly preserved and transmitted Christ’s teachings through Tradition and Scripture. During Easter, give Christ thanks for the Transmission of Divine Revelation (CCC 74-100) only found in fulness in the Catholic Church.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Blessed Trinity

Virtue of the Day – Charity

Corporal Work of Mercy – To feed the hungry

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To admonish the sinner