Daily Readings - Sat Apr 10 2021
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 call to proclaim the Gospel with courage and faith, even in the face of challenges and doubts. In the first reading from Acts, we see Peter and John standing before the Sanhedrin, unwavering in their testimony of Jesus despite threats and intimidation. Their boldness is rooted in their encounter with the risen Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. The authorities, recognizing that they had been with Jesus, could not deny the miracle they had witnessed, yet they sought to silence them. Peter and John’s response is a testament to their faith: they cannot help but speak of what they have seen and heard.
In the Gospel, Mark recounts the appearances of the risen Jesus to Mary Magdalene and the disciples. Despite the overwhelming evidence of His resurrection, the disciples struggle with disbelief. Jesus, however, does not abandon them in their doubt. Instead, He commissions them to “go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” This mission is not reserved for the perfect or the fully understanding; it is entrusted to those who, like the disciples, are still grappling with the mystery of faith. The Gospel, in essence, is not just a message for the early Church but a call to all of us to share the good news of God’s love and redemption.
These readings remind us that faith is not about having all the answers or being free from doubt. It is about trusting in God’s plan and being willing to share His love with others, even when it is uncomfortable or challenging. Like Peter and John, we are called to be bold in our witness, and like the disciples, we are called to move beyond our fears and doubts to proclaim the Gospel. In our daily lives, this means living with integrity, sharing our faith with others, and trusting that God will work through us, even in our imperfections. Let us ask for the courage and grace to be faithful witnesses of the risen Christ in our world today.