Daily Readings - Sat Apr 27 2019
Acts
13Then, seeing the constancy of Peter and John, having verified that they were men without letters or learning, they wondered. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus14Also, seeing the man who had been cured standing with them, they were unable to say anything to contradict them15But they ordered them to withdraw outside, away from the council, and they conferred among themselves16saying: "What shall we do to these men? For certainly a public sign has been done through them, before all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It is manifest, and we cannot deny it17But lest it spread further among the people, let us threaten them not to speak anymore in this name to any man.18And calling them in, they warned them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus19Yet truly, Peter and John said in response to them: "Judge whether it is just in the sight of God to listen to you, rather than to God20For we are unable to refrain from speaking the things that we have seen and heard.21But they, threatening them, sent them away, having not found a way that they might punish them because of the people. For all were glorifying the things that had been done in these events
Mark
9But he, rising early on the first Sabbath, appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons10She went and announced it to those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping11And they, upon hearing that he was alive and that he had been seen by her, did not believe it12But after these events, he was shown in another likeness to two of them walking, as they were going out to the countryside13And they, returning, reported it to the others; neither did they believe them14Finally, he appeared to the eleven, as they sat at table. And he rebuked them for their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen that he had risen again15And he said to them: "Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith and the call to share the Good News, even in the face of adversity. In the first reading from Acts, Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin, unwavering in their commitment to preach about Jesus, despite the threats they receive. Their courage is rooted in their encounter with the risen Christ, and they cannot help but speak of what they have seen and heard. Similarly, in the Gospel from Mark, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and the two disciples, and though they are met with disbelief at first, the truth of the resurrection eventually prevails. These accounts remind us that the message of Christ is not one that can be silenced or contained.
The context of these readings is crucial. For the early Christian community, the resurrection of Jesus was not just an event but a transformative experience that compelled them to share the Gospel with the world. Peter and John, though uneducated, were empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak boldly about their faith. In Mark’s Gospel, the disbelief of the disciples highlights the human struggle to accept the extraordinary truth of the resurrection, but ultimately, Jesus commissions them to go forth and preach to all creation. These stories remind us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in God’s plan and being obedient to His will.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine our own commitment to sharing the Gospel. Like Peter and John, we may face situations where we are called to stand firm in our beliefs, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. Like the disciples, we may struggle with doubt or fear, but Jesus calls us to move beyond those limitations and trust in His power. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be lived out in action, and we are called to be witnesses of Christ’s love and truth to a world in need. Let us ask for the courage and grace to be faithful disciples, trusting that God will use us to bring light and hope to those around us.