Divine Mercy Sunday

Divine Mercy Sunday, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, focuses on God’s mercy and our need for trust. In each year, the Gospel tells how Jesus comes to the disciples after the resurrection. He brings peace, shows His wounds, and gives them the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel, Thomas doubts but then believes when he sees Jesus. This reminds us that faith sometimes grows slowly, but Jesus is patient with us.

Other readings speak about the early Church. They shared what they had and cared for one another. God’s mercy helped them live in unity and love. The theme of this Sunday is clear: God forgives, heals, and sends us out to share that same mercy with others. Divine Mercy Sunday is a time to receive God’s peace and pass it on.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. See how to determine the correct year.

Divine Mercy Sunday Year A
Divine Mercy Sunday Year B
Divine Mercy Sunday Year C

Mass Readings for Divine Mercy Sunday Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the Divine Mercy Sunday Year A readings here.

• First Reading – Acts 2:42-47: In the early Christian community in Jerusalem, believers were united in heart and mind, shared all their possessions, and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. As a result, many signs and wonders were done, and the community grew in number and favor.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 118: This psalm expresses gratitude to the LORD for his enduring mercy and love. The psalmist recounts how the LORD saved him from distress and how the rejected stone became the cornerstone, inviting all to rejoice in the day the LORD has made.
• Second Reading – 1 Peter 1:3-9: The apostle Peter speaks of the hope and salvation that believers in Jesus Christ have, which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. He encourages the readers to endure trials because their faith will be refined and ultimately lead to the praise, glory, and honor of Christ.
• Gospel – John 20:19-31: Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection, and shows them his wounds. Thomas, one of the disciples, doubts their testimony until Jesus appears to him and invites him to touch his wounds, after which Thomas proclaims him as Lord and God.

Mass Readings for Divine Mercy Sunday Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the Divine Mercy Sunday Year B readings here.

• First Reading – Acts 4:32-35: The unity and generosity of the early Christian community is described. The believers were of one heart and one mind, sharing everything they had and selling their possessions to provide for those in need.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 118: The psalmist then declares his trust in God, and proclaims that the Lord is his strength and salvation. The psalm ends with a declaration of praise and a call for God’s blessings to be upon the people.
• Second Reading – 1 John 5:1-6: Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God will love God and their fellow believers, and that this love is evidence of their faith. The passage also speaks about the importance of following God’s commandments, and how our love for God is demonstrated by our obedience to His commands.
• Gospel – John 20:19-31: Jesus appeared to his disciples in a locked room, greeted them, and showed them his wounds as proof of his identity. Thomas, who was not present, doubted that Jesus had truly risen from the dead. A week later, Jesus appeared to the disciples again and this time Thomas was present. Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds and believe.

Mass Readings for Divine Mercy Sunday Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the Divine Mercy Sunday Year C readings here.

• First Reading – Acts 5:12-16: The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people, and believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade. The sick were also brought to them and were healed, and the people revered the apostles and many others were added to their number.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 118: A psalm of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord, acknowledging His mercy and enduring love. It also speaks of the Lord’s help and salvation, and the joyful celebration of victory in the tents of the just. The psalm ends with a declaration of the Lord’s greatness and a call to rejoice in the day He has made.
• Second Reading – Revelation 1:9-11A, 12-13, 17-19: John explains that he was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching about God and Jesus. He then has a vision of the son of man in the midst of seven gold lampstands and falls down in awe. The son of man reassures him, stating that he holds the keys to death and the netherworld, and instructs John to write down what he has seen, what is happening, and what will happen in the future.
• Gospel – John 20:19-31: Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection and shows them his wounds, proving that he is indeed the risen Christ. Thomas, one of the disciples, initially doubts Jesus’ resurrection but eventually believes after seeing and touching his wounds.

Lookup Other Liturgical Dates in the Lectionary

The Bible is the full collection of sacred Scripture. The Lectionary is a book used at Mass that contains selected Bible readings. These readings are chosen to fit the Church calendar and help us focus on key parts of our faith during each season. Not every part of the Bible is included. On special days like Divine Mercy Sunday, the readings are chosen to match the meaning and message of that day.

The Lectionary is arranged in cycles. Sundays follow a three-year cycle: Year A, Year B, and Year C. Each year highlights a different Gospel. Weekday readings follow a two-year cycle. The Gospel of John is often used during special seasons like Lent and Easter. The readings at Mass in the United States come from the New American Bible. This ensures that all Catholics hear the same Scripture passages during Mass, including those for Divine Mercy Sunday.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.

• 2024 is Year B
• 2025 is Year C
• 2026 is Year A
• 2027 is Year B
• 2028 is Year C
• 2029 is Year A
• 2030 is Year B
• 2031 is Year C
• … and so on

Divine Mercy Sunday is the 2nd Sunday of Easter. It celebrates the mercy of Jesus, shown to His followers after the resurrection. In all three years, the Gospel tells the story of Jesus appearing to His disciples. He brings peace, shows His wounds, and gives them the Holy Spirit. He sends them out to forgive, just as He forgives.

In the Gospel, Thomas is not with the others and doubts the story. A week later, Jesus comes again. He invites Thomas to see and believe. Thomas calls Jesus his Lord and God. This shows us that Jesus meets us where we are, even when we struggle.

The other readings talk about the early Church. They lived with care, unity, and trust in God. They shared what they had and prayed together. God’s mercy shaped their lives.

Divine Mercy Sunday reminds us that we are forgiven and sent to share that same mercy with others.

Divine Mercy Sunday invites us to trust in Jesus and show mercy to others. Are there people in your life who need forgiveness or peace?

Read the Scriptures for this Sunday. Think about how they speak to your life. Share your thoughts in the comment section.