The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us to use our talents to preach the Good News and, if necessary, to use words.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes Peter and John before the Sanhedrin.
Psalm 118 is a Song of Victory.
* [Psalm 118] A thanksgiving liturgy accompanying a procession of the king and the people into the Temple precincts. After an invocation in the form of a litany (Ps 118:1–4), the psalmist (very likely speaking in the name of the community) describes how the people confidently implored God’s help (Ps 118:5–9) when hostile peoples threatened its life (Ps 118:10–14); vividly God’s rescue is recounted (Ps 118:15–18). Then follows a possible dialogue at the Temple gates between the priests and the psalmist as the latter enters to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice (Ps 118:19–25). Finally, the priests impart their blessing (Ps 118:26–27), and the psalmist sings in gratitude (Ps 118:28–29). (Psalms, PSALM 118 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the longer ending to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene, to Two Disciples and He commissions the Disciples.
* [16:9–20] This passage, termed the Longer Ending to the Marcan gospel by comparison with a much briefer conclusion found in some less important manuscripts, has traditionally been accepted as a canonical part of the gospel and was defined as such by the Council of Trent. Early citations of it by the Fathers indicate that it was composed by the second century, although vocabulary and style indicate that it was written by someone other than Mark. It is a general resume of the material concerning the appearances of the risen Jesus, reflecting, in particular, traditions found in Lk 24 and Jn 20. (Mark, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)
Edward Morse comments that Our Lord vindicates Mary Magdalene by appearing in person to the other disciples and rebuking them for their unbelief and hardness of heart. But he did not dwell on their mistakes. He told them to get to work: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” And so they did.
Unbelief and hardness of heart are closely related. We need correction at such times, a reminder that we becoming distracted by people, events, and circumstances that are challenging us and calling us to a deeper and more persistent faith. Hardness of heart accompanies unbelief because it prevents love, faith, and hope from entering into our ways of thinking and living.
Lord, please deliver us from the maladies of hard and unbelieving hearts. Light a fire in us and around us to melt the ice that prevents us from receiving your love, which motivates us to share that love with others. Help us to kindle the fire of belief in others around us. Thanks be to God. (Morse, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes The Great Commission, by Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.
"The command to the apostles to be witnesses to him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the uttermost parts of the earth was not addressed exclusively to those to whom it was immediately spoken. They alone would not be the only ones who would carry such an enormous task to completion. Similarly he seems to be speaking to the apostles very personally when he says: "Behold I am with you even to the end of the world," yet who does not know that he made this promise to the universal church which will last from now even to the consummation of the world by successive births and deaths?" (excerpt from Letter 199, To Hesychius 49) (Schwager, 2024)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 4:13-21 comments that like Peter and John, we, too, have seen and heard good news that can’t be silenced. By faith we know that death is not the end. The grave has no power over anyone who is striving to live in Christ. Sin is not the end, either. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have been set free from slavery to sin and the burden of guilt and shame that comes with it. Now, through the Holy Spirit, God lives in us, speaking words of guidance and comfort, filling us with faith, hope, and love.
You have so much to be grateful for! You have so much to offer the people around you! In prayer today, ask the Lord for the courage and joy to “speak about what [you] have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Then look for just one simple way you can follow Peter and John’s example.
“Lord, show me how I can proclaim your good news today.” (Meditation on Acts 4:13-21, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the dilemma facing the Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection, as the people attended to the bold and forceful preaching of Peter and John about Jesus. The scribal addition of the longer ending to Mark’s Gospel may have been to supplement a shorter ending written for a community of martyrs. Friar Jude reminds us of the different language, style, and vocabulary in the longer ending and the status of Mary Magdalene as a proto apostle who had seven demons but was not a prostitute.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Ilia Delio who invites us to find creative ways to “go to church” and celebrate new life and resurrection.
We have an invitation to go to church in a new way, by praying before the new leaves budding through dormant trees or the wobbly flowers by the side of the road pushing through the solid earth…. [Like Francis of Assisi,] we too can sing with the air we breathe, the sun that shines upon us, the rain that pours down to water the earth. And we can cry with those who are mourning, with the forgotten, with those who are suffering from disease or illness, with the weak, with the imprisoned. We can mourn in the solidarity of compassion but we must live in the hope of new life. For we are Easter people, and we are called to celebrate the whole earth as the body of Christ. Every act done in love gives glory to God: a pause of thanksgiving, a laugh, a gaze at the sun, or just raising a toast to your friends at your virtual gathering. The good news? “He is not here!” Christ is everywhere, and love will make us whole. (Rohr, n.d.)
We are Easter People who are participants in Jesus Life and mission to share the Good News of invitation to relationship with God for all people.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/4?13
Mark, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/16?9
Meditation on Acts 4:13-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 6, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/06/931358/
Morse, E. (2024, April 6). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 6, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040624.html
Psalms, PSALM 118 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/118?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Resurrection Faith: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 6, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-resurrection-faith-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (2024, April 5). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 6, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr6
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