The Gospel from the worksheets, told for little ones. Read it aloud on Saturday, or tap Listen.
Peace Be with You: Thomas Believes
On the evening of Easter Sunday the disciples were together, with the doors locked because they were afraid. Suddenly Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” He said, and He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples were filled with joy! Jesus said, “As the Father sent Me, so am I sending you.” Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” He gave them the power to forgive sins in His name.
Thomas was not there. When the others told him, he said he would not believe unless he could touch Jesus’ wounds. Eight days later Jesus came again and said to Thomas, “Doubt no longer but believe.” Thomas cried out, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
That means us! We have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but we can still believe. Jesus brings peace and mercy, and He is patient with our questions. Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, a day to trust in His love.
Big idea: The risen Jesus brings peace and mercy. Even when we have questions, we can trust Him.
Peace Be with You, Thomas!
On the evening of Easter Day, Jesus’ friends were hiding in a room with the doors locked. They were scared. Suddenly Jesus was standing with them! “Peace be with you,” He said. He showed them His hands, and they were so happy. Jesus breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit, so they could forgive people’s sins.
But Thomas was not there. “I won’t believe it unless I see and touch Jesus’ hands,” he said. A week later Jesus came again. He said to Thomas, “Doubt no longer but believe.” Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said that people who believe without seeing Him are happy too. That means you! Jesus is always kind and patient with us, even when we find it hard to believe. He gives us His peace.
Big idea: Jesus is alive and He gives us His peace. We can believe in Him, even without seeing Him!
Jesus Says, Peace!
Jesus’ friends were scared. They locked the door. Then Jesus came in! He said, “Peace be with you.” His friends were so happy!
Thomas was not there. He did not believe. Then Jesus came again. Thomas saw Jesus and said, “My Lord and my God!” Now he believed!
Big idea: Jesus is alive and He gives us peace!
Jesus’ own words are in red, like a red-letter Bible.
On the evening of Easter the disciples are behind locked doors, afraid. Jesus comes and stands among them and His first words are not a rebuke but a gift: “Peace be with you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit on them and sends them out to forgive. A week later He meets Thomas in his doubt, gently offering His wounded hands. No wonder the Church calls this Divine Mercy Sunday. In the first reading the new believers share everything, so that no one among them is in need.
Every family has its locked doors: a sulk after an argument, a worry no one talks about, a child who is sure they have spoilt everything. The risen Jesus does not wait for us to tidy up before He comes in. This week, try to be quick with peace at home. Say sorry first, forgive without a lecture, and let honest questions, like Thomas’s, be welcome at the table.
Dinner-table questions
Why do you think Jesus said Peace be with you to His scared friends?
How do you think Thomas felt when he saw Jesus?
Who could you make peace with this week?
This week’s family practice: At bedtime this week, ask each other “Is there anything we need to say sorry for today?” Then hug, and say together, “Jesus, I trust in You.”
