Peace be to people of goodwill. It's another Sabbath day to honour, the second Sunday of Easter and I wasn't left out in today's worship either.

^{Photo edited on Flyer maker app}

Continue reading as I walk you through today's Sunday service activities and the rest of my day activities.

Dear diary,
My narration below the lines as arranged according to the sections of the day.

Morning Section

I woke up today late, precisely at 7:18am. My alarm failed to ring, I don't know why perhaps it's because i've been snoozing it😅.
I prayed then started boiling water to bath cus the weather wasn't friendly with me at all. I had my bath and got dressed as quickly as possible so as to not be late to church which commences at 8.

At the church

I got to church 20 minutes after 8, yes! That late fortunately for me, mass was yet to commence. I entered and sat down waiting for when the priest will arrive and subsequently, commence the mass. I worshipped God today also at St Elizabeth Catholic Church Akiama, Bonny Island Rivers State Nigeria

The mass started 10 minutes after (8:30am). All the activities were observed including the most two relevants which stands as the definition of mass; liturgy of the word (Readings from the Bible)/Liturgy of the Eucharist (receiving of communion) and offering of gifts to God by the people.

About today's Sunday

Today being Sunday the 24th day of the month of April 2022 Year C, the Catholic church celebrate the second Sunday of Easter called Divine Mercy Sunday and the memorial feast of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen. Also, the women celebrate their day (women's day), they were honoured as you can see the altar's decoration depict that of CWO (Catholic Women Organisation), they (women) were the ones that serve the mass also.

The readings

Today's mass readings can be accessed below in a tabular form.

Readings	Bible
FIRST READING	Acts 5:12—16
RESPONSORIAL PSALM	Psalm 118:2—4, 13—15, 22—24 (1)
SECOND READING	Revelation 1:9—11a, 12—13, 17—19
GOSPEL	John 20:19—31

Brief Summary of the readings

I present to you below the lines, the brief history of the above mass readings for today.

• 📕First Reading:

• Today's first reading taken from the book of Acts 5:12-16 narrate how the Apostles continued to show signs and wonders after the death of Jesus. How they remained toheyin one Accord in Solomon's portico and multitude of people both of men and women were added to them . It tells how they carried the sicks to the streets and laid them on beds so that when Peter is passing, his shadow might fall on them. They gathered the sick to them and they were all healed.

• 📕The Psalms:

• Today's portion of the Psalms was quite praising to Jah. It invites us to give praise to the Lord, stressing that he's good and his mercies forever endureth. Inviting the house of Israel and Aaron to praise him, and as well, those who fear him say his mercies ensures forever.

• 📕The Second reading:

• The second reading is so logical, interesting. Taken from the revelations of John. He narrated how in the island of Patmos was encountered by the trumpet-like voice which was Jesus, telling him to write letters to the 7 churches in Asia.

• 📕The Gospel:

• Today's gospel reading from John 20:19-30 is all about the appearance of Jesus to his disciples after death. He appeared to his disciples on the first day of that week in the evening even though the doors were shut in the fear of the Jews . This all happened in the absent of one of the disciples called Thomas, know as the twin. And while he was later told that Jesus appeared, he doubted, insisting he must see him with his own eyes. The gospel narrated how Jesus later appeared to them again his time around, Thomas was oresenoamd he charged him not to be the doubting type, stressing that Happy are those who never saw yet believe.

The homily

^{Priest at the altar along with women mass servers}
Today's homily (Sermon) was done also by our very same parish priest "Rev.Fr. Dr. Godspower Amele*.
The homily started at 9:04am.

Started the homily by asking the congregation why they don't like giving their children the name Thomas, that is if it's because he doubted about Jesus.
Talking about the character of Thomas the priest said, when Jesus said to his disciples let's go to Jerusalem, Thomas complained, he opinioned that they were going to die there. Also, when Jesus asked his disciples to follow him, Thomas asked he that, how would they (the disciples) follow Jesus when they don't know the way; at this, Jesus replied him that he's the way. And so, Thomas been doubtful that the disciples have seen the Lord after he was risen.

The cleared that, after the death of Jesus, the she saw saw no reason to remain there he therefore disassociated with the disciples that's he wasn't present when Jesus visited.
. Commending Thomas in the other the priest said, that of all the disciples, only Thomas and Mary Magdalene personalised Jesus Christ. Thomas after Jesus asked him to dip his in his side and the hands, Thomas then replie "my Lord and my God. And also Mary Magdalene said to the Apostles, they have taken away my (referring to herself) Lord. The priest continued that, Today many people find themselves in the same situation Thomas found himself many years ago, lamenting that there's no sign to trust someone again.

"Philosophers today might have been doubting also that Jesus did not rise from the dead if this Thomas incident never happened, there would have been a demand for evidence" so said the priest.
He charged worshippers saying,
our doubts, our discomfort situations should lead us to our deep faith in God. Thomas today become a positive lesson for us. Let all your situations lead you to knowing God. Pray for the grace of Thomas like, ask the Lord in any condition you find yourself in that it should not kill you, this was the priest's first lesson.

On his second he said, We celebrate God's mercy today, we are custodians of God's mercy, our hands must be raised, ready to forgive and show mercy. If the Lord decided to count our sins, nobody will be saved. He continued, "If you don't show mercy, the peace of the Lord will not reign in your heart therefore be eager to show mercy"

He later concluded his homily at 9:22am after reminding worshippers of them been the custodians or God's mercy, therefore they should let the Lord's Mercy to manifest in them.

Priest word for mothers

^{Cutting the cake}

The church celebrate women's day today and the priest has these words for them:

Mother's, you're 65% dutiful to the family.
He charged the mother's to ask God for the grace to remain the good mother. He prayed for them to be good mother's too.

Other activities during the service

Today's service involved quite a lot of activities, I couldn't captured all well detailed as I ought to tho.

Other activities include cutting of mother's day celebration cake, fund raising, award presentation to deserving personalities and host of other things.

The service later ended 13 minutes after 12and I set back home.

At home

Got back home few minutes to 1 o'clock and was so tired. Quickie, I soaked garri in water while I was changing. I had the garri, then mangoes then started boiling water for Eba.
It took me roughly 20 minutes to finiiall these. I got rel tired after eating.

As of the time of writing this post, the time is 4:10pm and I'm already feeling sleepy. Hoping to take at least a nap to regain myself.
Thanks.

Cc:
@steemalive
@steem-alive

I wish us all a super week.