Divine Mercy Sunday Year C (April 27, 2025)

• First Reading – Acts 5:12-16: The apostles, performing signs and wonders, gathered in Solomon’s portico, held in high regard despite others’ hesitance. Their number grew rapidly, and the sick were brought to them; even Peter’s shadow was sought for healing. All who came were healed.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 118: Israel, Aaron’s descendants, and the God-fearing proclaim God’s enduring mercy. He answers in distress, providing strength and salvation. The rejected stone becomes the cornerstone, a marvelous act of the Lord.
• Second Reading – Revelation 1:9-11A, 12-13, 17-19: John, exiled on Patmos for his faith, receives a vision from Jesus on the Lord’s day. Instructed to write, he sees Christ among lampstands, falls down, but is reassured by Christ, the eternal, resurrected one holding keys to death and Hades.
• Gospel – John 20:19-31: In a locked room, Jesus appeared to his disciples, offering peace and showing his wounds, which brought them joy. He empowered them with the Holy Spirit and the authority to forgive sins. Thomas, absent initially, doubted their testimony. Later, Jesus appeared again, inviting Thomas to touch his wounds, leading to Thomas’ declaration of faith. Jesus blessed future believers who wouldn’t see yet believe. These events were recorded to affirm faith in Jesus as the Christ.

Divine Mercy Sunday Year C celebrates God’s infinite mercy and forgiveness. The readings highlight themes of faith, healing, and the importance of believing in Christ’s resurrection.

• God’s Healing Power: In Acts 5:12-16, the apostles perform many signs and wonders, showing God’s healing power. This reflects how God’s mercy brings physical and spiritual healing.
• Faith in Jesus: The Gospel of John 20:19-31 recounts Jesus appearing to Thomas, who initially doubted. It shows the importance of believing in Jesus, even without seeing Him.
• Peace from Christ: Jesus says, “Peace be with you,” when He appears to the disciples. This peace comes from His mercy and forgiveness, calming our fears and doubts.
• Witness to Christ: Revelation 1:9-11A, 12-13, 17-19 speaks of John witnessing Christ’s glory. We are called to be witnesses of Christ’s mercy in the world.
• Forgiveness of Sins: Jesus gives the apostles the power to forgive sins, emphasizing the mercy available through the Church. Confession is a way to experience God’s forgiveness and mercy.
• Thomas’s Declaration: Thomas’s declaration, “My Lord and my God,” shows a personal encounter with the risen Christ. It encourages us to deepen our own faith and trust in Jesus.

Divine Mercy Sunday Year C is a reminder of God’s endless mercy and love for us. The themes encourage us to trust in Jesus, seek His forgiveness, and share His peace with others.

See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.

All Things Visible and Invisible – A Lesson Plan on Believing

This lesson for Divine Mercy Sunday Year C helps youth explore what it means to believe in something unseen, like Thomas in John 20:19-31. Thomas doubted the resurrection until he saw Jesus’ wounds. Jesus didn’t dismiss him but helped him believe. This teaches us that faith can grow even from doubt. Like Thomas, we can trust in Jesus’ love and healing, even if we struggle with believing.

The Unveiling of a New World

In Bishop Robert Barron’s homily for Divine Mercy Sunday Year C, he explains the significance of the Book of Revelation. He emphasizes that this book reveals not the end of the physical world, but the birth of a new world through Jesus’ Resurrection. Bishop Barron notes that the visions in Revelation symbolize the old world ending and a new, just world beginning. He encourages understanding the book as a message for all generations, highlighting the hope and renewal brought by Christ’s victory over death.

Locked Doors Don’t Keep Jesus Away

In Jeff Cavins’ reflection for Divine Mercy Sunday Year C, he emphasizes that Jesus reaches us even behind locked doors of fear and doubt. Cavins highlights the Gospel reading where Jesus appears to His disciples, offering them peace and commissioning them to continue His mission. He encourages us to open our hearts to receive God’s mercy and to embrace our calling, following Jesus’ example through Baptism, Confirmation, and living out His teachings.

Breath of New Life

In Scott Hahn’s reflection for Divine Mercy Sunday Year C, he discusses how Jesus fulfills Daniel’s prophecy of the “Son of Man” as an everlasting king and high priest. Jesus appears to the apostles in a risen, life-giving body, and breathes the Holy Spirit onto them, empowering them to forgive sins and perform miracles. This divine breath unites the Church with Christ, enabling it to bring new life to the world. Hahn emphasizes that through Jesus, the apostles received life and the mission to share His blessings with all.

Divine Mercy Sunday Year C offers a unique opportunity to reflect on God’s endless mercy and love. It is a time to deepen our faith, recognize the importance of community, and embrace the peace and forgiveness that come from following Jesus. These reflections explore key themes of mercy, faith, and our calling to share God’s love with others.

Embracing Mercy and Faith Together

Divine Mercy Sunday Year C is a special day to reflect on God’s mercy and our faith. The Gospel reading reminds us of the importance of faith in our lives as Catholics. Like Thomas, we may have doubts and uncertainties in our faith journey. But Jesus is always with us, ready to strengthen our faith when we ask Him. We should trust in God’s promises, even when we can’t see them clearly.

The readings also highlight the value of community. The disciples gathered in the Upper Room and experienced the risen Lord together. This shows us the strength we can find in being part of a community of believers. As Catholics, we are called to support and encourage one another in our faith. Being together helps us grow and face challenges with a stronger faith.

On Divine Mercy Sunday Year C, we remember Jesus’ message of peace. When He appeared to the disciples, He said, “Peace be with you.” This peace is a gift from God that can calm our hearts and minds. In our busy lives, we can find peace by turning to Jesus in prayer and trusting in His mercy. This peace helps us to be more loving and forgiving towards others.

Forgiveness is another key theme of Divine Mercy Sunday Year C. Jesus gave the apostles the power to forgive sins, showing the importance of mercy. We are encouraged to seek forgiveness for our sins and to forgive those who hurt us. This act of mercy not only heals our relationships but also brings us closer to God.

Divine Mercy Sunday Year C is a time to reflect on God’s mercy, the strength of our faith, the support of our community, and the peace and forgiveness we receive from God. It’s a reminder to trust in Jesus, seek His mercy, and be a source of mercy to others. By embracing these lessons, we can grow in our faith and live more fully as Catholics.

God’s Mercy Through Jesus and Our Call to Share It

Divine Mercy Sunday Year C reminds us of the great mercy God showed by sending Jesus to us. The incarnation of Jesus is a clear sign of God’s love and mercy. Through Jesus, we can be fully reconciled with God and experience the Holy Spirit in our lives. This relationship with God, through Jesus, assures us that even death cannot separate us from His love.

In the Gospel, Jesus breathes on His disciples and encourages them to receive the Holy Spirit. This act shows that the Holy Spirit is a gift that empowers us to continue Jesus’ mission of spreading mercy and forgiveness. As followers of Christ, we are called to receive this Spirit and live out the mercy we have received.

Our role as Christians is to share God’s mercy with others. This means forgiving others, showing kindness, and being compassionate. We are reminded that just as we have received God’s grace, we should also be channels of that grace to others. It’s our duty to bring this message of mercy to the world, especially to those who are hurting or lost.

Living as examples of God’s mercy is a way to bring hope and healing to those around us. By being merciful, we can help others experience God’s love and forgiveness. This is an important part of our faith, and it helps us grow closer to God and each other.

On Divine Mercy Sunday Year C, we reflect on the incredible gift of God’s mercy through Jesus. We are called to embrace this mercy, share it with others, and live as witnesses of God’s love. By doing so, we continue the mission of Jesus, bringing light and hope to the world.

Divine Mercy Sunday Year C challenges us to live out the mercy we receive from God. By trusting in Jesus, seeking forgiveness, and supporting one another, we can be signs of God’s love in the world. Let us commit to spreading this message of mercy, bringing hope and healing to all we encounter.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your mercy and love. Help us to trust in You, share Your forgiveness, and be kind to others. Guide us to be faithful witnesses of Your peace and mercy. Amen.

• How can I strengthen my faith like Thomas?
• In what ways can I experience and share the peace of Christ?
• How does being part of a faith community support my spiritual growth?
• What steps can I take to show forgiveness to others?
• How can I be a witness of God’s mercy in my daily life?
• What does receiving the Holy Spirit mean to me?
• How do I respond to moments of doubt in my faith?
• In what ways can I support others in their faith journey?
• How can I grow closer to God through prayer and trust?
• What actions can I take to bring hope and healing to those around me?

The music selections for Divine Mercy Sunday Year C focus on themes of mercy, resurrection, faith, and the joy of salvation. The hymns celebrate God’s endless love and forgiveness, the hope of new life in Christ, and the strength we find in our faith community. Some songs emphasize the joy and praise due to God’s mercy, while others reflect on the mystery of faith and the comfort of Christ’s presence. This variety of music helps to enrich the liturgy and deepen the congregation’s reflection on these important themes.

• Alleluia! Raise the Gospel
• At the Sound
• Chaplet of Divine Mercy
• Christ, Be Our Light
• Eye Has Not Seen
• Give Thanks to the Lord
• Give Thanks to the Lord (Psalm 118)
• Glory and Praise to Our God
• I Know That My Redeemer Lives
• I Received the Living God
• In the Breaking of the Bread
• Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
• Love Is Here
• Mercy
• New Every Morning
• O Breathe on Me, O Breath of God
• One Thing Remains
• Psalm 118: This Is the Day
• Resurrection Day
• Sing a New Church
• Sing a New Song Unto the Lord
• The Lion and the Lamb
• There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy/Be Merciful
• This Is the Day (Psalm 118)
• Though Not Seeing You
• We Walk by Faith
• Where Charity and Love Prevail
• Ye Sons and Daughters

Music directors and musicians are encouraged to explore these selections and consider how they can enhance the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. Your input is valuable, so please share your own song suggestions and experiences in the comments to inspire others and create a more meaningful worship experience for everyone.

What date is the Divine Mercy Sunday Year C?

The next date is Sunday April 27, 2025.
For other years see the links below:
Divine Mercy Sunday Year A
Divine Mercy Sunday Year B

What are the Mass readings for Divine Mercy Sunday Year C?

The Mass readings for Sunday April 27, 2025 are:
First Reading – Acts 5:12-16: Signs and Wonders
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 118: Hymn of Thanksgiving
Second Reading – Revelation 1:9-11A, 12-13, 17-19: John’s Vision of the Glorified Christ
Gospel – John 20:19-31: Doubt to Faith

What is the significance of the signs and wonders in Acts 5:12-16?

The signs and wonders performed by the apostles show God’s power and mercy at work. They remind us that God’s healing is available to us through faith and prayer.

Why is John called a “witness” in the second reading for Divine Mercy Sunday Year C?

John witnessed a vision of the risen Christ and shared it with others. We are also called to be witnesses by sharing our faith and experiences of God’s mercy with others.

Why did Jesus say, “Peace be with you,” in John 20:19-31?

Jesus said this to bring calm to His disciples, who were scared and confused. It reminds us that Jesus offers peace to us, especially when we are worried or afraid.

What does Thomas’s doubt teach us in the Gospel for Divine Mercy Sunday Year C?

Thomas doubted Jesus’ resurrection until he saw Him. This teaches us to have faith in Jesus even when we cannot see Him, trusting in His promises and presence in our lives.

What does it mean that Jesus gave the apostles the power to forgive sins?

In John 20:22-23, Jesus gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins. This is important for us because it shows that through confession, we can receive God’s forgiveness and mercy.

How can we experience God’s mercy in our daily lives?

We experience God’s mercy by turning to Him in prayer, asking for forgiveness, and helping others. We can also show mercy by being kind and forgiving to those around us.

What lesson do we learn from the apostles performing healings?

The healings in Acts 5:12-16 remind us that God cares about our physical and spiritual health. We can trust in God’s power to heal and help us in our needs.

How does Divine Mercy Sunday Year C encourage us to live our faith?

Divine Mercy Sunday Year C encourages us to live our faith by trusting in Jesus’ mercy, seeking His forgiveness, and sharing His love with others. It’s a call to deepen our relationship with Jesus and be merciful to others.