Daily Readings - Sat Apr 27 2019
Acts
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.14But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.15But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,16saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.17But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name."18So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.19But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,20for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."21And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
Mark
9[[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.10She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.11But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.12After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.13And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.14Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.15And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
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.