Reading 1
Acts 4: 13-21
Observing the boldness of Peter and John
and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men,
the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed,
and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus.
Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them,
they could say nothing in reply.
So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin,
and conferred with one another, saying,
“What are we to do with these men?
Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign
was done through them, and we cannot deny it.
But so that it may not be spread any further among the people,
let us give them a stern warning
never again to speak to anyone in this name.”
So they called them back
and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Peter and John, however, said to them in reply,
“Whether it is right in the sight of God
for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges.
It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”
After threatening them further,
they released them,
finding no way to punish them,
on account of the people who were all praising God
for what had happened.
Gospel
Mk 16:9-15
When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week,
he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
out of whom he had driven seven demons.
She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.
When they heard that he was alive
and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another form
to two of them walking along on their way to the country.
They returned and told the others;
but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them
and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart
because they had not believed those
who saw him after he had been raised.
He said to them, “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Meditation: Mark 16:9-15
Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel. (Mark 16:15)
It’s interesting that Jesus didn’t specify exactly what that “gospel” was, or what exactly the disciples were to say. This is most likely because the good news of our salvation is bigger than any one set speech or one set of logical propositions. Because the good news of God’s love and salvation touches each of us in a different way, one short and concise paragraph will never suffice to capture all of its grandeur, hope, and promise.
So how do we proclaim the gospel, if it’s so broad and if its effects on people are so diverse? A good way to start is by following Mary Magdalene’s example. She simply told the apostles what she had experienced. She told it to the people she knew. Cutting through the disciples’ grief, she told them: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18). The witness of her personal testimony was strong enough to cut through their sadness and catch their attention.
That’s all we have to do, too—tell the people around us what we know. We don’t need any special credentials or training. We just have to share with them what is so “good” about the good news, and we need to do it with love and compassion. The only real requirement is that we pursue an ongoing, active relationship with God. And that’s not as hard as it sounds. As in any relationship, the key is listening.
So listen when you pray. Listen to the readings at Mass. Listen for the Holy Spirit when you read Scripture or sing hymns. It’s not complicated! If it helps, put on some music and sit quietly (or stand or lie down) and let the words wash over you and draw you close to the Lord. Simply listen, and God will speak.
Give God a chance to meet your needs. And when he does, don’t be afraid to tell someone else: “This is what I heard. This is what I saw. This is what God did for me.” That’s what Mary Magdalene did, after all!
“Jesus, open my heart to hear your word today. Open my eyes to see you at work in and around me. Open my mouth to proclaim the good news!”
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